Self-healing control network for building automation systems

• US 7,437,596 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2006
• Issued: 10/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ollnova Technologies Limited (Atlantic IP Services Limited)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: McFarland, Norman R.
• Primary Examiner(s): BARNES-BULLOCK, CRYSTAL JOY
• Application Number:
  US11/538,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20070244573A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 700/2, 700/4, 700 19- 21, 700/79, 700/82, 700/99, 700/275, 700/276, 340/3.1, 340/3.43, 340/3.44, 340/825, 340/539.1, 340/310.11, 340/825.01, 370216-228, 370/320, 709/223, 709/238, 709/239, 702/188, 702/33, 702/35, 714 1- 5, 714/8, 714 10- 13, 714/47
• US Class Current: 714/47.2
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2239 Reallocate, reschedule execution of controlled functions if one processor fails
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25069 Pseudo redundance, eliminate failing element and reconfigure system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/248 Connectivity information update
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

In building automation architectures, components may be associated through physical communications paths and at a different level through building automation applications. Building automation applications implement control processes for a building function. Due to changing needs, such as a failure of a physical communications path or the addition or removal of components, the building automation application may be more appropriately performed in a different device. By dynamically positioning or determining a processor for implementing a building automation application, an architecture or network may more optimally control building functions, such as by requiring less user input, more rapid response and/or avoiding building function failures.

Claims

1. A self-healing automating building control system, the system comprising:

a first controller configured to control a building environment according to wirelessly receiving data associated with a sensed environmental condition; and

a second controller configured to control the building environment according to wirelessly receiving data associated with a failure of a communications path between the first controller and a source of the data,

wherein control of the building environment switches from the controller to the second controller in conjunction with or response to a switch in the communications path.

2. The self-healing automating building control system of claim 1, wherein the control of the second controller is implemented independent of physical network communications paths.

3. The self-healing automating building control system of claim 2, wherein the physical network communications paths are assigned pursuant to IEEE 802.15.4 or 802.11x.

4. The self-healing automating building control system of claim 1, comprising a sensor that is operable to wirelessly transmit data associated with the sensed environmental condition, the sensor being operable to transmit data directly to the first controller and second controller.

5. The self-healing automating building control system of claim 1, wherein a third controller being remote from the second controller is operable to identify the second controller, the third controller operable with the second controller to implement a building automation function.

6. A method for automating building control, the method comprising:

automatically controlling a building environment with a building automation application implemented on a first controller according to a wireless communication via a communications path with a second controller;

detecting a failure of a communications path between the first controller and second controller using a time-out mechanism that provides a time period for an expected communication; and

switching the building automation application to a third controller in response to the failure of the communications path between the first controller and second controller, the third controller automatically controlling the building environment based upon a communication with the second controller.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising sensing or actuating by the second controller according to commands wireless communicated with the first and second controllers.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein detecting a failure includes detecting a failure if the time period is exceeded without receiving communications.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising assigning the physical network communications paths as a function of location within a building.

10. A method for self-healing automating control, the method comprising:

(a) automating control of a function with an automation application on a first processor, communications associated with the automation application being wireless;

(b) detecting a reconfiguration of a communications path associated with the first processor; and

then

(c) implementing the automation application on a second processor remote from the first processor in response to (b) and independent of physical network communications paths interconnecting the first and second processors.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

(d) wirelessly controlling operation of a third processor with the automation application during both (a) and (c).

12. The method of claim 11, wherein (d) comprises controlling sensing or actuating by the third processor with the first and second processors being controllers.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

(d) assigning the physical network communications paths as a function of location.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

(d) communicating between the first and second processors wirelessly.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein (c) comprises switching the automation application from the first processor to the second processor in conjunction with or in response to a reconfiguration of a network.

16. A system for self-healing automating control, the system comprising:

a first processor operable to run a control application for automation and direct a network having a plurality of processors;

a second processor remote from the first processor, the second processor operable to communicate with the control application via a communications path; and

a third processor remote from the first and second processors;

wherein the control application is operable to be implemented on the third processor in response to a reconfiguration of the network, and implementation of the control application on the third processor is independent of physical network communications paths.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the physical network communications paths are assigned as a function of location.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the first, second, and third processors are operable to intercommunicate wirelessly.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the second processor comprises a sensor or an actuator processor and the first and third processors comprise controllers.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the first processor seeks out particular devices associated with the control application.