Integrated building control and information system with wireless networking

• US 6,922,558 B2
• Filed: 03/06/1998
• Issued: 07/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Venator Group Incorproated (Foot Locker Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Woolworth Corp. (Foot Locker Incorporated)
• Inventors: Delp, Don, Renaldi, Pat
• Primary Examiner(s): Appiah, Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): CONTEE, JOY KIMBERLY
• Application Number:
  US09/036,721
• Publication Number:
  US 20010055965A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,699 Days
• Field of Search: 455/420, 455/536, 455/567, 455/423, 455/67.1, 455/67.7, 340/825.06, 340/539, 340/7.1, 340/7.23, 340/993, 700/90
• US Class Current: 455/420
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24015 Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25187 Transmission of signals, medium, ultrasonic, radio
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25192 Infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00022 using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/12 The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 30/60 Planning or developing urban green infrastructure
• 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 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: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/244 the home appliances being or involving heating ventilating and air conditioning [HVAC] units
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/126 using wireless data transmission

Abstract

This invention relates to an integrated building control and information system with wireless networking, including the controlling and/or monitoring of various building devices or appliances such as air conditioning, lighting, temperature, humidity, etc., including practically any environmental condition or mechanical operation. Also, the invention relates to a system which includes a vendor tracking system comprising an industrial operator interface, with communication, local data processing, and data storage capabilities, which provide an efficient information resource for service and product control. Additionally, the invention relates to a system including a utility monitoring and/or control system to monitor and/or control the facilities utilities such as electricity, gas, water, steam, etc., through revenue and non-revenue rated metering devices, allowing real-time demand side utility management through the controlled equipment. Additionally, this invention incorporates a wireless interface, of any combination of sub-systems, to increase the coverage area to include remote locations, within a radius up to 10 miles, and/or large facilities which exceed the limitation of hard wired components, resulting in cost reductions for installation and maintenance. In facilities such as shopping malls, office buildings, commercial and industrial complexes, the consolidated central management of energy consumption, building equipment, lighting, environmental control, and vendor services provides a substantial savings and effective use of limited natural resources.

Claims

1. An integrated building and control system wherein said system comprises:

a master control network including a first radio frequency (RF) device for providing a wireless communication interface with at least one remotely-located satellite network, a user interface, and a central processing unit;

at least one said satellite network comprising a second RF device for providing a wireless communication interface with said master control network, a plurality of nodes/modules for detecting information, at least one utility node, and a vendor tracking system; and

a communication system including said first and second RF devices;

wherein said satellite network receives data from and transmits data to said master control network via said RF communication system, wherein said system allows for end user control of said nodes/modules, wherein said central processing unit transmits information from said first RF device to said user interface, wherein said central processing unit is coupled to said first RF device, wherein said first RF device receives said information from said second RF device, and wherein said utility node detects utility information and transmits said utility information to said satellite device.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said vendor tracking system comprises a monitor and at least one vendor tracking module.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said vendor tracking system further comprises:

at least one vendor tracking module for collecting vendor tracking data, processing said data and transmitting said data through data conversion circuitry to said second RF device for transmission to said master control network.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said master control network further comprises:

at least one utility node; and

a utility monitor;

wherein said utility nodes detect utility information and transmit said information to said utility monitor and said central processing unit.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein said utility node detects utility information and transmits said information to said second RF device;

and wherein said second RF device transmits said information to said first RF device.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said vendor tracking system comprises an operator interface terminal.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein each said second RF device comprises:

a data conversion circuit for converting said data received from at least one said node/module for transmission via said communication system;

wherein at least one of said nodes/modules is a vendor tracking module for collecting vendor tracking data and transmitting said vendor tracking data through said data conversion circuit in said second RF device for transmission to said master control network.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said master control network further comprises:

at least one vendor tracking system module;

wherein said user interface provides a user with access and control of said system, and wherein said central processing unit is capable of receiving information from each said vendor tracking system module, and wherein said first RF device receives information from said second RF device and transmits said information through a data converter to said central processing unit for display via said user interface.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said master control network further comprises a vendor tracking system.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said vendor tracking system comprises a monitor and at least one vendor tracking module.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein said master control network further comprises a data conversion and transmission unit.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said data conversion and transmission unit includes data conversion circuitry for converting said data received from said central processing unit for transmission to said satellite network.

13. A system according to claim 1, wherein each said satellite network further comprises:

a data conversion and transmission unit for receiving data from said satellite node/module and transmitting said data to said master control network.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein said data conversion and transmission unit includes data conversion circuitry for converting said data received from said satellite node/module for transmission to said master control network.

27. A system according to claim 9, where said vendor tracking system further comprises:

at least one vendor tracking module for collecting vendor tracking data, processing said data and transmitting said data.

28. A system according to claim 9, wherein said vendor tracking system comprises an operator interface terminal.

15. An integrated building control and information system for providing bi-directional wireless communication, control, and/or monitoring of a plurality of devices and/or services, wherein said system comprises:

a single master control network comprising a plurality of subsystems for providing local control and monitoring of devices and/or services, a central processing unit (CPU), and a data conversion and transmission unit from said CPU and transmitting said data to at least one of said satellite networks; and

a radio frequency (RF) communication system for providing bi-directional communication between said master control network and a plurality of satellite networks, wherein said each satellite network is positioned remote from said master network and comprises at least one satellite node/module for receiving and transmitting data;

wherein at least one said subsystem comprises a plurality of local nodes/modules for receiving and transmitting data, and a vendor tracking system (VTS) node/module for collecting vendor-related data and transmitting said data to said CPU.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein said data conversion and transmission unit includes data conversion circuitry for converting said data received from said CPU for transmission to said satellite network via said RF communication system.

17. A system according to claim 15, wherein each said satellite network further comprises:

a data conversion and transmission unit for receiving data from said satellite node/module and transmitting said data to said master control network.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein said data conversion and transmission unit includes data conversion circuitry for converting said data received from said satellite node/module for transmission to said master control network via said RF communication system.

19. A system according to claim 15, wherein at least one of said satellite nodes/modules is a vendor tracking system (VTS) for collecting vendor-related data and transmitting said data to said master control network.

20. A system according to claim 19, wherein said VTS comprises a monitor and at least one vendor tracking module.

21. A system according to claim 19, wherein said VTS further comprises at least one vendor tracking module for collecting vendor tracking data, processing said data and transmitting said data.

22. A system according to claim 15, wherein said master control network further comprises:

at least one utility node; and

a utility monitor;

wherein said utility nodes detect utility information and transmit said information to said utility monitor and said CPU.

23. A system according to claim 15, wherein said master control network further comprises a vendor tracking system.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein said vendor tracking system comprises a monitor and at least one vendor tracking module.

25. A system according to claim 23, where said vendor tracking system further comprises:

at least one vendor tracking module for collecting vendor tracking data, processing said data and transmitting said data.

26. A system according to claim 23, wherein said vendor tracking system comprises an operator interface terminal.