Building control system field panel having integrated web server

• US 20050143863A1
• Filed: 12/20/2004
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Ruane, Margaret, Swoch, David
• Application Number:
  US11/018,847
• Publication Number:
  US 20050143863A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34444 Web control system, with intelligent control components each with web server

Abstract

A controller for use in a building control system includes an input, an output, a processing circuit and a communication circuit. The input is operably connected to receive sensor information. The output is operably connected to communicate control information. The processing circuit is configured to generate the control information based on the sensor information and at least one set point. The processing circuit is further operable to generate web pages including one or more building control values. The communication circuit is operable to communicate the generated web pages to an external web client. The communication circuit is preferably further operable to communicate an executable program to the external web client. The executable program is configured to cause the external web client to automatically poll for updates to at least one of the one or more building control values.

Claims

1. A controller for use in a building control system, the controller comprising:

at least one input operably connected to receive sensor information;

at least one output operably connected to communicate control information;

a processing circuit configured to,

generate the control information based on the sensor information and at least one set point,

generate web pages including one or more building control values; and

at least one communication circuit operable to communicate the generated web pages to an external web client, the at least one communication circuit further operable to communicate an executable program to the external web client, the executable program operable to cause the external web client to automatically poll for updates to at least one of the one or more building control values.

2. The controller of claim 1, wherein the at least one input is operably connected to a sensor device.

3. The controller of claim 1, wherein the at least one output is operably connected to an actuator.

4. The controller of claim 1, wherein the one or more building control values comprises a plurality of values, and wherein the executable program is operable to cause the external web client to automatically poll for updates to less than all of the one or more building control values.

5. The controller of claim 4, wherein the executable program is operable to cause the external web client to automatically poll for an update to a first building control value, the first building control value indicating an alarm condition.

6. The controller of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is further operable to cooperate with the at least one communication circuit to obtain the building control values from a remote device.

7. The controller of claim 6, wherein the controller constitutes a first node on a logical building network and the remote device comprises a second node on the logical building network.

8. The controller of claim 6, wherein the processing circuit is further operable to convert the obtained building control value into an HTML-web page compatible format.

16. The method of claim 6, wherein the web page is an HTML-web page.

9. A method for use in a building control system having a controller, the controller including at least one input operably connected to receive sensor information, at least one output operably connected to communicate control information, and a processing circuit, the method comprising:

a) generating, using the processing circuit, the control information based on the sensor information and at least one set point,

b) generating, using the processing circuit, web pages including one or more building control values,

c) communicating the generated web pages to an external web client; and

d) communicating an executable program to the external web client, the executable program operable to cause the external web client to automatically poll for updates to at least one of the one or more building control values.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving at least one of the one or more building control values from a second controller, and

incorporating the at least one of the one or more building control values into the generated web page.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising receiving the sensor information from a sensor device.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing the control information to an actuator.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more building control values comprises a plurality of values, and wherein the executable program is operable to cause the external web client to automatically poll for updates to less than all of the one or more building control values.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the executable program is operable to cause the external web client to automatically poll for updates to a first building control value relating to a building control system alarm condition.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the controller constitutes a first node on a logical building network and the second controller comprises a second node on the logical building network.

17. A controller for use in a building control system, the controller comprising:

at least one input operably connected to receive sensor information relating to a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system;

at least one output operably connected to communicate control information an element of the HVAC system;

a processing circuit configured to,

generate the control information based on the sensor information and at least one set point,

generate a web file including one or more building control values, the web file being readable by a standard web browser;

at least one communication circuit operable to communicate the generated web file to an external web client.

18. The controller of claim 17, wherein the processing circuit is further operable to cooperate with the at least one communication circuit to obtain the building control values from a remote device.

19. The controller of claim 18, wherein the controller constitutes a first node on a logical building network and the remote device comprises a second node on the logical building network.

20. The controller of claim 18, wherein the web file constitutes an HTML web page.