Intelligent Building Automation Node

• US 20140316541A1
• Filed: 06/10/2014
• Published: 10/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Voss, Robert J., Kassl, Joseph J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,996,746 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/283 Processing of data at an internetworking point of a home automation network
• 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 12/40 Bus networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/40247 LON
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for use in connection with a Building Automation System (BAS) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises an intelligent power node comprising a JAVA-enabled device and serial communication cable that provide a seamless open protocol and aggregation point to broadcast internet protocol communications. In another embodiment, the present invention enables energy monitoring and control of individual ports and outlets. In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a method of configuring and operating fieldbus devices.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a fieldbus device, said method comprising:

providing an electronic device, wherein said electronic device includes an operating system, a serial communication means, and an Internet Protocol (IP) communication means, and wherein said electronic device facilitates convergence and integration between said serial communication means and said IP communication means;

connecting at least one fieldbus device to said electronic device through said serial communication means, wherein said fieldbus device has a fieldbus device profile;

synchronizing said fieldbus device profile to said operating system, wherein said step of synchronizing includes said electronic device associating said fieldbus device profile with a pre-configured fieldbus device profile, and adjusting settings of said electronic device based on said pre-configured fieldbus device profile; and

transmitting electronic data between said fieldbus device and said electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said electronic data includes information selected from the group consisting of a Media Access Control (MAC) address, input/output (I/O) address, fieldbus device instance numbers, discovery and self description information, device level, manufacturer and application, function level, channel code, connection code, object type, and channel set of data points.