Method and apparatus for improved building automation

• US 6,192,282 B1
• Filed: 09/30/1997
• Issued: 02/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Uniden America Corporation (Cornwall Capital Management LP)
• Original Assignee: Intelihome Incorporated Texas Corporation
• Inventors: Gelling, Richard R., Smith, Mark E., Smith, Marjorie L., Cogbill, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Paul P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US08/941,794
• Time in Patent Office: 1,239 Days
• Field of Search: 700/2, 700/3, 700/9, 700/10-20, 700/17, 700/83, 700/86-87, 700/296-300, 700/280, 700/267, 340/825.06, 340/825.52, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/310.01
• US Class Current: 700/19
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25204 Translate between different communication protocols

Abstract

An improved building automation system is provided which is modular in design thus minimizing the amount of instruction necessary to affect control of a particular building system. A relatively small set of interprocess control commands define an interprocess control protocol which is utilized in relatively high level scripts and control applications. The improved building automation system operates to translate control instructions in one particular control protocol to control instructions in a second control protocol. A text parsing program routes interprocess communication commands between modular communication programs to affect control over the automated building systems. The text parsing program includes executable instructions which allow for conditional communication of interprocess control commands depending upon system events.

Claims

1. An improved building automation system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of building automation subsystems, including at least;

(1) a first building automation subsystem including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a first control protocol;

(2) a second building automation subsystem including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a second control protocol;

(b) a set of interprocess control commands together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(c) a least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions for a plurality of building automation programs, including at least the following programs;

(1) a plurality of modular subsystem-specific programs, including at least;

(a) a first modular subsystem program responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating command signals in accordance with said first control protocol for control of said at least one end device of said first building automation subsystem;

(b) a second modular subsystem program responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating signals in accordance with said second control protocol for control of said at least one end device of said second building automation subsystem.

2. An improved building automation system, according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of building automation programs further include:

(2) a plurality of modular communication programs, including at least;

(a) a first modular communication program for receiving control instructions in said first control protocol as an input, and for producing as an output control instructions in one of a plurality of control protocols, including said second control protocol; and

(b) a second modular communication program for receiving control instructions in said second control protocol as an input and for producing as an output control instructions in one of a plurality of control protocols, including said first control protocol.

3. An improved building automation system, according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of building automation programs further include:

(3) a plurality of modular communication applications, each for obtaining a particular building automation objective, which utilize particular ones of said plurality of modular communication programs to receive control instructions in one particular control protocol and to produce control instructions in a different particular control protocol.

4. An improved building automation system, according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of building automation programs further include:

(2) a plurality of modular control applications, each for specific control of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems, which utilize particular ones of said set of interprocess control commands to control execution of particular ones of said plurality of modular subsystem-specific programs.

5. An improved building automation system, according to claim 1, wherein said building automation programs further include:

(2) a plurality of communication programs, including at least;

(a) a first communication program for receiving control instructions in said first control protocol as an input, and for producing as an output control instructions in one of a plurality of control protocols, including said second control protocol; and

(b) a second communication program for receiving control instructions in said second control protocol as an input and for producing as an output control instruction in one of a plurality of control protocols, including said first control protocol;

(3) a plurality of modular control applications, each for specific control of at least one of said building automation subsystems, which utilize particular ones of said set of interprocess control commands to control execution of particular ones of said plurality of subsystem-specific programs.

6. An improved building automation system, according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of building automation programs further include:

(2) a plurality of modular communication programs, including at least;

(a) a first modular communication program for receiving control instructions in said first control protocol as an input, and for producing as an output control instructions in one of a plurality of control protocols, including said second control protocol;

(b) a second modular communication program for receiving control instructions in said second control protocol as an input and for producing as an output control instruction in one of a plurality of control protocols, including said first control protocol;

(3) a plurality of modular control applications, each for specific control of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems, which utilize particular ones of said set of interprocess control commands to control execution of particular ones of said plurality of modular subsystem-specific programs; and

(4) a plurality of modular communication applications, each for obtaining a particular building automation objective, which utilize particular ones of said plurality of modular communication programs to receive control instructions in a particular control protocol and to produce control instructions in a different particular control protocol.

7. An improved building automation system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of building automation subsystems, each including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a particular control protocol from a plurality of different control protocols;

(b) a set of interprocess control commands together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(c) at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions;

(d) a plurality of modular subsystem programs, each responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating command signals in accordance with a particular control protocol of said plurality of different control protocols for direct control of said at least one end device of a particular building automation subsystem; and

(e) a plurality of modular control applications, each for specific control of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems, which utilize particular ones of said set of interprocess control commands to control execution of particular ones of said plurality of modular subsystem programs.

8. An improved building automation system according to claim 7, further comprising:

(f) a plurality of modular interprocess communication programs, each for receiving control instructions in a first control protocol as an input, and for producing as an output control instructions in a second control protocol.

9. An improved building automation system according to claim 8:

wherein said set of interprocess control commands comprise text messages;

wherein said improved building automation system further comprises;

(g) at least one text parsing program for processing said interprocess control commands and communicating said interprocess control commands between (1) said plurality of modular subsystem programs, (2) said plurality of modular control applications, and (3) said plurality of modular interprocess communication programs.

11. An improved building automation system according to claim 8:

wherein said plurality of modular control applications include executable instructions which utilize said plurality of modular interprocess communication programs to convert control instructions in said first control protocol to control instructions in said second control protocol.

12. An improved building automation system according to claim 7, further comprising:

(f) a plurality of user interface devices, for receiving user input and displaying system status, each communicatively coupled through particular ones of said plurality of modular control applications to particular ones of said plurality of building automation subsystems.

13. An improved building automation system according to claim 7:

wherein said plurality of building automation subsystems include at least one subsystem type, each with particular end devices which are responsive to different control protocols;

wherein said plurality of modular control applications include executable instructions which utilize said interprocess control protocol to control said at least one subsystem type without direct utilization of said different control protocols.

10. An improved building automation system according to claim 10:

wherein said at least one text parsing program includes executable instructions allowing conditional communication of interprocess control commands depending upon at least one of the following;

(1) status of at least one operating condition of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems;

(2) status of at least one operating condition of at least one of said plurality of modular subsystem programs; and

(3) status of at least one of said plurality of said plurality of modular control application.

14. An improved building automation system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of building automation subsystems, each including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a particular control protocol from a plurality of different control protocols;

(b) a set of interprocess control commands together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(c) at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions;

(d) a plurality of modular subsystem programs, each responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating command signals in accordance with a particular control protocol of said plurality of different control protocols for control of said at least one end device of a particular building automation subsystem, with each of said plurality of modular subsystem programs including;

(1) an output task program module including executable instructions for receiving interprocess control commands for controlling operation of said at least one end device;

(2) an input task program module including executable instructions for providing status information relating to a particular building automation subsystem; and

(3) a driver task program module for generating a particular type of control protocol for control of said at least one end device.

15. An improved building automation system, according to claim 14, wherein said output task program module and said input task program module are communicatively coupled through at least one interprocess control mailbox and semaphores.

16. An improved building automation system, according to claim 15, wherein said interprocess control mailbox performs communication functions in a multitasking data processing environment.

17. A method of controlling a building automation system, comprising:

(a) providing a first building automation subsystem including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a first control protocol;

(b) providing a second building automation subsystem including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a second control protocol;

(c) providing a set of interprocess control commands together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(d) providing at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions for a plurality of building automation programs;

(e) providing a first modular subsystem program responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating command signals in accordance with said first control protocol for control of said at least one end device of said first building automation subsystem,

(f) providing a second modular subsystem program responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating signals in accordance with said second control protocol for control of said at least one end device of said second building automation subsystem, and

(g) utilizing said set of interprocess control commands to program applications which control said first building automation subsystem and said second building automation subsystem without regard to said first control protocol and said second control protocol, and without requiring any knowledge of said first control protocol and said second control protocol.

18. A method of controlling a building automation system, according to claim 17, further including:

(h) providing a first modular communication program for receiving control instructions in said first control protocol as an input, and for producing as an output control instructions in one of a plurality of control protocols, including said second control protocol; and

(i) providing a second modular communication program for receiving control instructions in said second control protocol as an input and for producing as an output control instructions in one of a plurality of control protocols, including said first control protocol;

(j) utilizing said set of interprocess control commands to program applications which utilize said first modular communication program and said second modular communication program to selectively generate control instructions in at least one of said first control protocol and said second control protocol.

19. A method of controlling a building automation system, according to claim 18, further including:

(k) providing a plurality of modular communication applications, each for obtaining a particular building automation objective, which utilize particular ones first and second modular communication programs to receive control instructions in a particular control protocol and to produce control instructions in a different particular control protocol.

20. A method of controlling a building automation system, according to claim 17, further including:

(h) utilizing said applications to control of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems, by utilizing particular ones of said set of interprocess control commands to control execution of particular ones of a plurality of modular subsystem-specific programs including said first subsystem program and said second modular subsystem program.

21. An improved building automation system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of building automation subsystems, including at least the following;

(1) a first building automation subsystem including at least one end device which is controllable, in accordance with a first control protocol;

(2) a second building automation subsystem including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a second control protocol;

(b) a set of interprocess control commands together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(c) at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions for a plurality of building automation programs, including at least the following programs;

(1) a plurality of subsystem-specific programs, including at least;

(a) a first subsystem program responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating command signals in accordance with said first control protocol for control of said at least one end device of said first building automation subsystem;

(b) a second subsystem program responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating signals in accordance with said second control protocol for control of said at least one end device of said second building automation subsystem;

(d) wherein said set of interprocess commands include a plurality of interprocess communication commands which are generally applicable to said plurality of subsystem specific programs, including at least the following specific interprocess communication commands;

(1) a notify command for eliciting a substantially continuous state indication from any particular one of said plurality of subsystem-specific programs; and

(2) a cancel command for discontinuing any substantially continuously-provided state indications, including said substantially continuously provided state indication in response to said notify command.

22. An improved building automation system, according to claim 21, wherein said plurality of interprocess commands further include:

(3) a status command for eliciting a non-continuous state indication from any particular one of said plurality of subsystem-specific programs.

23. An improved building automation system, according to claim 21, wherein said plurality of interprocess commands further include:

(3) a change request command for altering the state of a particular end device of a particular one of said building automation subsystems.

24. An improved building automation system, according to claim 21, further comprising:

(e) at least one notify list which is communicatively associated to particular ones of said plurality of subsystem-specific programs through said interprocess communication commands which provides said status indications to said notify list.

25. An improved building automation system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of building automation subsystems, each including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a particular control protocol from a plurality of different control protocols;

(b) a set of interprocess control commands together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(c) at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions;

(d) a plurality of modular subsystem programs, each responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating command signals in accordance with a particular control protocol of said plurality of different control protocols for direct control of said at least one end device of a particular building automation subsystem;

(e) a plurality of modular control applications, each for specific control of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems, which utilize particular ones of said set of interprocess control commands to control execution of particular ones of said plurality of modular subsystem programs; and

(f) wherein said set of interprocess commands include a plurality of interprocess communication commands which are generally applicable to said plurality of modular subsystem programs.

26. An improved building automation system according to claim 25, wherein said plurality of interprocess communication commands include:

(1) a notify command for eliciting a substantially continuous state indication from any particular one of said plurality of modular subsystem programs; and

(2) a cancel command for discontinuing any substantially continuously-provided state indications, including said substantially continuously provided state indication in response to said notify command.

27. An improved building automation system, according to claim 25, wherein said plurality of interprocess communication commands further include:

(3) a status command for eliciting a non-continuous state indication from any particular one of said plurality of modular subsystem programs.

28. An improved building automation system, according to claim 25, wherein said plurality of interprocess communication commands further include:

(3) a change request command for altering the state of a particular end device of a particular one of said building automation subsystems.

29. An improved building automation system, according to claim 25, further comprising:

(g) at least notify list which is communicatively associated to particular ones of said plurality of modular subsystem programs through said interprocess communication commands which provide said status indications to said notify list.

30. An improved building automation system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of building automation subsystems, each including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a particular control protocol from a plurality of different control protocols;

(b) a set of interprocess control commands together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(c) at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions;

(d) a plurality of modular subsystem programs, each responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating command signals in accordance with a particular control protocol of said plurality of different control protocols for control of said at least one end device of a particular building automation subsystem, with each of said plurality of modular subsystem programs including;

(1) an output task program module including executable instructions for receiving interprocess control commands for controlling operation of said at least one end device;

(2) an input task program module including executable instructions for providing status information relating to a particular building automation subsystem; and

(3) a driver task program module for generating a particular type of control protocol for control of said at least one end device;

(e) a plurality of modular control applications, each for specific control of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems, which utilize particular ones of said set of interprocess control commands to control execution of particular ones of said plurality of modular subsystem-specific programs; and

(f) wherein said set of interprocess commands include a plurality of interprocess communication commands which are generally applicable to said plurality of modular subsystem programs and to said plurality of modular control applications; and

(g) wherein said interprocess communication commands are passed between particular ones of said plurality of modular subsystem programs and said plurality of modular control applications utilizing at least one of said output task program module and said input task program module.

31. An improved building automation system according to claim 30, wherein said interprocess communication commands include:

(1) a notify command for eliciting a substantially continuous state indication from any particular one of said plurality of modular subsystem programs; and

(2) a cancel command for discontinuing any substantially continuously-provided state indications, including said substantially continuously provided state indication in response to said notify command.

32. An improved building automation system, according to claim 31, wherein said plurality of interprocess communication commands further include:

(3) a change request command for altering the state of a particular end device of a particular one of said building automation subsystems.

33. An improved building automation system, according to claim 31, further comprising:

(3) a change request command for altering the state of a particular end device of a particular one of said building automation subsystems.

34. An improved building automation system, according to claim 31, wherein said plurality of interprocess communication commands further include:

(3) a status command for eliciting a non-continuous state indication from any particular one of said plurality of modular subsystem programs.

35. A method of controlling a building automation system, comprising:

(a) providing a plurality of building automation subsystems, each including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a particular control protocol from a plurality of different control protocols;

(b) providing a set of interprocess control commands together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(c) providing at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions;

(d) providing a plurality of modular subsystem programs, each responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating command signals in accordance with a particular control protocol of said plurality of different control protocols for control of said at least one end device of a particular building automation subsystem, with each of said plurality of modular subsystem programs including;

(1) an output task program module including executable instructions for receiving interprocess control commands for controlling operation of said at least one end device;

(2) an input task program module including executable instructions for providing status information relating to a particular building automation subsystem; and

(3) a driver task program module for generating a particular type of control protocol for control of said at least one end device;

(e) a plurality of modular control applications, each for specific control of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems, which utilize particular ones of said set of interprocess control commands to control execution of particular ones of said plurality of modular subsystem programs;

(f) a plurality of modular interprocess communication programs, each for receiving control instructions in a first control protocol as an input, and for producing as an output control instructions in a second control protocol;

(g) a plurality of user interface devices, for receiving user input and displaying system status, each communicatively coupled through particular ones of said plurality of modular control applications to particular ones of said plurality of building automation subsystems;

(h) at least one text parsing program for processing said interprocess control commands and communicating said interprocess control commands between (1) said plurality of modular subsystem programs, (2) said plurality of modular control applications, and (3) said plurality of modular interprocess communication programs;

(i) utilizing said interprocess communication commands to control operation of a particular one of said plurality of building automation subsystems by passing between particular ones of said plurality of modular subsystem programs said interprocess communication commands utilizing said output task program module and said input task program module of particular ones of said plurality of modular subsystem programs.

36. A building automation system according to claim 35, wherein said interprocess communication commands include:

(1) a notify command for eliciting a substantially continuous state indication; and

(2) a cancel command for discontinuing any substantially continuously-provided state indications.

37. A building automation system, according to claim 35, wherein said plurality of interprocess communication commands further include:

(3) a status command for eliciting a non-continuous state indication.

38. A building automation system, according to claim 35, wherein said plurality of interprocess communication commands further include:

(3) a change request command for altering the state of a particular end device of a particular one of said building automation subsystems.

39. A building automation system, according to claim 35, further comprising:

(j) at least one notify list which is communicatively associated to particular ones of said plurality of subsystem-specific programs through said interprocess communication commands which provides said status indications to said notify list.

40. A method of controlling a building automation system, comprising:

(a) providing a first building automation subsystem including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a first control protocol;

(b) providing a second building automation subsystem including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a second control protocol;

(c) providing a set of interprocess control commands together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(d) providing at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions for a plurality of building automation programs;

(e) providing a first subsystem program responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating command signals in accordance with said first control protocol for control of said at least one end device of said first building automation subsystem;

(f) providing a second subsystem program responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating signals in accordance with said second control protocol for control of said at least one end device of said second building automation subsystem;

(g) utilizing said set of interprocess control commands to program applications which control said first building automation subsystem and said second building automation subsystem without regard to said first control protocol and said second control protocol;

(h) providing in said set of interprocess commands a plurality of interprocess communication commands which are generally applicable to said plurality of subsystem specific programs, including at least the following specific interprocess communication commands;

(1) a notify command for eliciting a substantially continuous state indication from any particular one of said plurality of subsystem-specific programs; and

(2) a cancel command for discontinuing any substantially continuously-provided state indications, including said substantially continuously provided state indication in response to a notify command; and

(i) utilizing in said applications said notify command and said cancel command to provide selectively status indications to said applications.

41. A method of controlling a building automation system, according to claim 40:

wherein said plurality of interprocess communication commands further include;

(3) a status command for eliciting a non-continuous state indication from any particular one of said plurality of subsystem-specific programs; and

wherein said method further includes;

(j) utilizing in said application said status command to provide selectively status indications to said applications.

42. A method of controlling a building automation system, according to claim 40, wherein said plurality of interprocess commands further include:

(3) a change request command for altering the state of a particular end device of a particular one of said building automation subsystems.

43. A method of controlling a building automation system, according to claim 40, further comprising:

(j) at least one notify list which is communicatively associated to particular ones of said plurality of subsystem-specific programs through said interprocess communication commands which provides said status indications to said notify list.

44. An improved building automation system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of building automation subsystems;

(b) at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions for a plurality of building automation programs, including at least the following programs;

(1) a plurality of modular subsystem-specific process programs with particular ones dedicated for control of particular ones of said plurality of building automation subsystems;

(2) a plurality of modular subsystem gateway programs which facilitate communication between at least said plurality of modular subsystem programs;

(3) a plurality of modular external gateway programs which allow communication between said plurality of modular subsystem specific processes programs and systems outside of control of said plurality of building automation subsystems;

(4) a plurality of utility process programs;

(5) a multi-tasking kernel program communicatively coupling (a) said plurality of modular subsystem process programs, (b) said plurality of modular subsystem gateway programs, (c) said plurality of modular external gateway programs, and (d) said plurality of utility process programs, to allow asynchronous communication therebetween.

45. A method of controlling a building automation system, comprising:

(a) providing a plurality of building automation subsystems;

(b) providing at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions for a plurality of building automation programs, including at least the following programs;

(1) a plurality of modular subsystem-specific process programs with particular ones dedicated for control of particular ones of said plurality of building automation subsystems;

(2) a plurality of modular subsystem gateway programs which facilitate communication between at least said plurality of modular subsystem programs;

(3) a plurality of modular external gateway programs which allow communication between said plurality of modular subsystem specific processes programs and systems outside of control of said plurality of building automation subsystems;

(4) a plurality of utility process programs;

(5) a multi-tasking kernel program communicatively coupling (a) said plurality of modular subsystem process programs, (b) said plurality of modular subsystem gateway programs, (c) said plurality of modular external gateway programs, and (d) said plurality of utility process programs, to allow asynchronous communication therebetween;

(c) utilizing said modular subsystem-specific process programs to control said building automation subsystems;

(d) utilizing said plurality of modular subsystem gateway programs to communicate at least one of (1) commands and (2) data between said plurality of modular subsystem specific process programs asynchronously through said multi-tasking kernel program.

46. An improved building automation system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of building automation subsystems, including at least;

(1) a first building automation subsystem including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a first control protocol;

(2) a second building automation subsystem including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a second control protocol;

(b) at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions for a plurality of building automation programs, including at least the following programs;

(1) a plurality of modular subsystem-specific programs, including at least;

(a) a first modular subsystem program responsive to control commands for generating command signals in accordance with said first control protocol for control of said at least one end device of said first building automation subsystem;

(b) a second modular subsystem program responsive to control commands for generating signals for control of said at least one end device of said second building automation subsystem;

(2) a plurality of modular communication programs, including at least;

(a) a first modular communication program for receiving control instructions in said first control protocol as an input, and for producing as an output control instructions in one of a plurality of control protocols, including said second control protocol;

(b) a second modular communication program for receiving control instructions in said second control protocol as an input and for producing as an output control instruction in one of a plurality of control protocols, including said first control protocol;

(3) a plurality of modular control applications, each for specific control of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems, which utilize control commands to control execution of particular ones of said plurality of modular subsystem-specific programs;

(4) a plurality of modular communication applications, each for obtaining a particular building automation objective, which utilize particular ones of said plurality of modular communication programs to receive control instructions in a particular control protocol and to produce control instructions in a different particular control protocol; and

(5) a plurality of global utility programs operatively connected to at least one of (a) said plurality of modular subsystem-specific programs, (b) said plurality of modular communication programs, (c) said plurality of modular control applications, and (d) said plurality of modular communication applications, for performing at least one of the following utility functions;

(1) building automation system startup;

(2) building automation system shutdown;

(3) creating an audit trail log;

(4) time operations.

47. A method of controlling a building automation system, comprising:

(a) providing a first building automation subsystem including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a first control protocol;

(b) providing a second building automation subsystem including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a second control protocol;

(c) providing at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions for a plurality of building automation programs;

(d) providing a first modular subsystem program responsive to control commands for generating command signals in accordance with said first control protocol for control of said at least one end device of said first building automation subsystem;

(e) providing a second modular subsystem program responsive to control commands for generating signals in accordance with said second control protocol for control of said at least one end device of said second building automation subsystem;

(f) providing a first modular communication program for receiving control instructions in said first control protocol as an input, and for producing as an output control instructions in one of a plurality of control protocols, including said second control protocol; and

(g) providing a second modular communication program for receiving control instructions in said second control protocol as an input and for producing as an output control instructions in one of a plurality of control protocols, including said first control protocol;

(h) utilizing control commands to program applications which utilize said first modular communication program and said second modular communication program to selectively generate control instructions in at least one of said first control protocol and said second control protocol; and

(i) providing a plurality of global utility programs operatively connected to at least one of (a) said plurality of modular subsystem-specific programs, (b) said plurality of modular communication programs, (c) said plurality of modular control applications, and (d) said plurality of modular communication applications, for performing at least one of the following utility functions;

(1) building automation system startup;

(2) building automation system shutdown;

(3) creating an audit trail log;

(4) timer operations.

48. An improved building automation system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of building automation subsystems including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a particular control protocol of a plurality of different control protocols;

(b) a set of interprocess control commands together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(c) each interprocess control command including;

(1) a message header portion which contains routing information including at least the following;

(a) a source process;

(b) a target process;

(2) a command portion including at least one of said set of interprocess control commands;

(d) at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions for a plurality of building automation programs, including a plurality of modular subsystem-specific programs each responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating command signals in accordance with a particular control protocol for control of said at least one end device of a particular building automation subsystem.

49. An improved building automation system, according to claim 48, wherein said plurality of building automation programs further include:

a plurality of modular communication programs, each for receiving control instructions in a particular control protocol as an input, and for producing as an output control instructions in one of a plurality of different control protocols.

50. An improved building automation system, according to claim 49, wherein said plurality of building automation programs further include:

a plurality of modular applications, each for obtaining a particular building automation objective, which utilize particular ones of said plurality of modular communication programs to receive control instructions in one particular control protocol and to produce control instructions in a different particular control protocol.

51. An improved building automation system, according to claim 48, wherein said plurality of building automation programs further include:

a plurality of modular applications, each for specific control of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems, which utilize particular ones of said set of interprocess control commands to control execution of particular ones of said plurality of modular subsystem-specific programs.

52. An improved building automation system according to claim 48:

wherein said set of interprocess control commands comprise text messages;

wherein said improved building automation system further comprises;

(g) at least one text parsing program for processing said interprocess control commands and communicating said interprocess control commands between (1) said plurality of modular subsystem programs, (2) said plurality of modular control applications, and (3) said plurality of modular interprocess communication programs;

wherein said at least one text parsing program includes executable instructions allowing conditional communication of interprocess control commands depending upon at least one of the following;

(1) status of at least one operating condition of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems;

(2) status of at least one operating condition of at least one of said plurality of modular subsystem programs; and

(3) status of at least one of said plurality of said plurality of modular control application.

53. An improved building automation system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of building automation subsystems, each including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a particular control protocol from a plurality of different control protocols;

(b) a set of interprocess control commands formed from text strings and together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(c) at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions;

(d) a plurality of modular subsystem programs, each responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating command signals in accordance with a particular control protocol of said plurality of different control protocols for direct control of said at least one end device of a particular building automation subsystem;

(e) a plurality of modular control applications, each for specific control of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems, which utilize particular ones of said set of interprocess control commands to control execution of particular ones of said plurality of modular subsystem programs;

(f) a plurality of modular interprocess communication programs, each for receiving control instructions in a first control protocol as an input, and for producing as an output control instructions in a second control protocol; and

(g) a plurality of user interface devices, with particular ones of said plurality of user interface devices being subject to different protocols, for receiving user input and displaying system status, each communicatively coupled through particular ones of said plurality of modular control applications to particular ones of said plurality of building automation subsystems.

54. An improved building automation system, according to claim 53, wherein said plurality of user interface devices which are determined for at least temporary use in at least one function of (1) receiving user input, and (2) providing status information, through use of said interprocess control protocol, thus allowing flexibility in duty assignment of said plurality of user interface devices.

55. An improved building automation system, according to claim 54, further comprising:

(h) wherein said interprocess control protocol utilizes particular interprocess control commands to perform the following functions;

(1) identify a source of a particular interprocess control command;

(2) identify a target process for a particular interprocess control command;

(3) identify a recipient process for status information; and

(4) identify a user interface for at least one of (a) receipt of user input, and (b) display of status information.

56. An improved building automation system, according to claim 53, further comprising:

(h) at least one text parsing program for processing said interprocess control commands and communicating said interprocess control commands between (1) said plurality of modular subsystem programs, (2) said plurality of modular control applications, and (3) said plurality of modular interprocess communication programs.

57. An improved building automation system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of building automation subsystems, each including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a particular control protocol from a plurality of different control protocols;

(b) a set of interprocess control commands together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(c) at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions;

(d) a plurality of modular control applications, each for specific control of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems, which utilize particular ones of said set of interprocess control commands;

(e) wherein said interprocess control protocol is utilized within said plurality of modular control applications to define a plurality of conditional commands each associated with at least one of a plurality of predetermined building automation system events; and

(f) a command processing program for examining building automation system events, detecting at least one of said plurality of predetermined building automation system events, and communicating a particular conditional command associated therewith for execution by said at least one programmable controller.

58. An improved building automation system according to claim 57, wherein said command processing program performs said examination of building automation system events by parsing and comparing building automation system message traffic in order to attempt to match an automation system event with a predetermined rule from a plurality of available rules recorded in memory.

59. An improved building automation system according to claim 57, wherein said plurality of condition commands are organized into conditional rules sets, each associated with a particular predetermined building automation system operating condition.

60. An improved building automation system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of building automation subsystems, each including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a particular control protocol from a plurality of different control protocols;

(b) a set of interprocess control commands together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(c) at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions;

(d) a plurality of modular control applications, each for specific control of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems, which utilize particular ones of said set of interprocess control commands;

(e) said program instructions defining a plurality of rules sets, each mapping a plurality of specific automation system events to a plurality of specific interprocess control commands; and

(f) wherein said plurality of modular control applications determine which of said plurality of rules sets is active, identify specific automation system events as they occur, and respond by communicating associated specific interprocess control commands for execution.

61. An improved building automation system according to claim 60, wherein said plurality of rules sets include a global rules set which is activated upon initialization.

62. An improved building automation system according to claim 61, wherein said plurality of rules sets include a plurality of available secondary rules sets which may be activated by specific automation system events.

63. A method of controlling a building automation system, comprising:

(a) providing a plurality of building automation subsystems, each including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a particular control protocol from a plurality of different control protocols;

(b) providing a set of interprocess control commands together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(c) providing at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions;

(d) providing a plurality of automation rules sets, each including a plurality of particular interprocess control commands, and each associated with a particular operating state of said building automation system;

(e) utilizing said at least one programmable controller to execute program instructions and to monitor said operating state of said building automation system; and

(f) upon identification of particular predetermined operating states, switching between particular ones of said plurality of automation rules sets.

64. A method of controlling a building automation system according to claim 63, further comprising:

(g) continuously switching between particular automation rules sets as said building automation system switches between predetermined operating states.

65. A method of controlling a building automation system according to claim 63, further comprising:

(g) providing at least one text parsing program for examining message traffic within said building automation system to identify particular operating states of said building automation system from a listing of particular operating systems contained in at least one of said plurality of automation rules sets which is currently active.

66. An improved building automation system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of building automation subsystems, each including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a particular control protocol from a plurality of different control protocols;

(b) a set of interprocess control commands together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(c) a plurality of programmable controllers and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions;

(d) at least one communication channel communicatively coupling said plurality of building automation subsystems and said plurality of programmable controllers;

(e) a plurality of modular subsystem programs, each responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating command signals in accordance with a particular control protocol of said plurality of different control protocols for direct control of said at least one end device of a particular building automation subsystem;

(f) a plurality of modular control applications, each for specific control of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems, which utilize particular ones of said set of interprocess control commands to control execution of particular ones of said plurality of modular subsystem programs; and

(g) wherein said plurality of programmable controllers are distributed throughout said building automation system, and communicate control commands and status information between one another utilizing said at least one communication channel.

67. An improved building automation system according to claim 66, further comprising:

(h) a plurality of modular interprocess communication programs, each for receiving control instructions in a first control protocol as an input, and for producing as an output control instructions in a second control protocol.

68. An improved building automation system according to claim 67:

wherein said set of interprocess control commands comprise text messages;

wherein said improved building automation system further comprises;

(i) at least one text parsing program for processing said interprocess control commands and communicating said interprocess control commands between (1) said plurality of modular subsystem programs, (2) said plurality of modular control applications, and (3) said plurality of modular interprocess communication programs.

70. An improved building automation system according to claim 67:

(i) wherein said plurality of modular control applications include executable instructions which utilize said plurality of modular interprocess communication programs to convert control instructions in said first control protocol to control instructions in said second control protocol.

71. An improved building automation system according to claim 66, further comprising:

(h) a plurality of user interface devices, for receiving user input and displaying system status, each communicatively coupled through particular ones of said plurality of modular control applications to particular ones of said plurality of building automation subsystems.

72. An improved building automation system according to claim 66:

(h) wherein said plurality of building automation subsystems include at least one subsystem type, each with particular end devices which are responsive to different control protocols;

(i) wherein said plurality of modular control applications include executable instructions which utilize said interprocess control protocol to control said at least one subsystem type without direct utilization of said different control protocols.

73. An improved building automation system according to claim 66, wherein said plurality of programmable controllers communicate control communication and status information utilizing a common communication protocol utilizing said at least one communication channel.

69. An improved building automation system according to claim 69:

(j) wherein said at least one text parsing program includes executable instructions allowing conditional communication of interprocess control commands depending upon at least one of the following;

(1) status of at least one operating condition of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems;

(2) status of at least one operating condition of at least one of said plurality of modular subsystem programs; and

(3) status of at least one of said plurality of said plurality of modular control applications.

74. An improved building automation system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of building automation subsystems, each including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a particular control protocol from a plurality of different control protocols;

(b) a set of interprocess control commands together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(c) a plurality of programmable controllers and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions;

(d) at least one communication channel communicatively coupling said plurality of building automation subsystems and said plurality of programmable controllers;

(e) a plurality of modular subsystem programs, each responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating command signals in accordance with a particular control protocol of said plurality of different control protocols for control of said at least one end device of a particular building automation subsystem, with each of said plurality of modular subsystem programs including;

(1) an output task program module including executable instructions for receiving interprocess control commands for controlling operation of said at least one end device;

(2) an input task program module including executable instructions for providing status information relating to a particular building automation subsystem; and

(3) a driver task program module for generating a particular type of control protocol for control of said at least one end device;

(f) a plurality of modular control applications, each for specific control of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems, which utilize particular ones of said set of interprocess control commands to control execution of particular ones of said plurality of modular subsystem programs; and

(g) wherein said plurality of programmable controllers are distributed throughout said building automation system, and communicate interprocess control command and status information between one another utilizing said at least one communication channel.

75. An improved building automation system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of building automation subsystems, each including at least one end device which is controllable in accordance with a particular control protocol from a plurality of different control protocols;

(b) a set of interprocess control commands together constituting an interprocess control protocol;

(c) at least one programmable controller and associated memory for storing and selectively executing program instructions;

(d) a plurality of modular subsystem programs, each responsive to interprocess control commands of said interprocess control protocol for generating command signals in accordance with a particular control protocol of said plurality of different control protocols for direct control of said at least one end device of a particular building automation subsystem;

(e) a plurality of modular control applications, each for specific control of at least one of said plurality of building automation subsystems, which utilize particular ones of said set of interprocess control commands to control execution of particular ones of said plurality of modular subsystem programs;

(f) a plurality of modular communication applications which are response to interprocess control commands and which operate to perform at least one of the following operations;

(1) allow remote access to executable programs;

(2) allow review of an audit trail;

(3) allow execution of diagnostics; and

(4) allow direct control of particular end devices.