Integrated building control and information system with wireless networking

• US 7,719,440 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2005
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Don Delp, Pat Renaldi
• Original Assignee: Don Delp, Pat Renaldi
• Inventors: Delp, Don, Renaldi, Pat
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Ajit
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lam; Dung
• Application Number:
  US11/186,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20060159043A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,763 Days
• Field of Search: 455/420, 455/556.1, 455/557, 455/423, 455/67.1, 455/67.7, 340/870.03, 340/870.04, 340/870.05, 340/870.06
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• 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. A system for providing an integrated building control and information system, said system comprising:

a master control network for communicating information to a plurality of remotely-located satellite networks, wherein said master control network includes a master utility node and a vendor tracking system module, said vendor tracking system module for storing and transmitting information regarding controlling and monitoring at least one first device connected to said master utility node;

at least one said satellite network comprising a satellite utility node and a satellite vendor tracking system, said satellite vendor tracking system for transmitting information regarding controlling and monitoring at least one second device connected to at least one of said satellite networks;

a radio frequency (RF) communication system for communicating information between a RF master device connected to said master control network and at least one RF satellite device connected to at least one said satellite network;

a controller for receiving and transmitting data to said master control network; and

a remote control unit communicating with and controlling at least one second device connected to said satellite utility node, wherein said remote control unit includes a display for displaying information received from at least one said second device,

wherein at least one said satellite network receives data from and transmits data to said master control network through said RF communication system, wherein said system allows a user to control at least one said second device through said remote control unit independently from control by said master control network, and further wherein said satellite utility node detects utility information from said satellite utility node and transmits said utility information to said RF satellite device.

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

a communication device;

a central processing unit;

an RF transponder;

a utility monitor; and

wherein said utility monitor controls said master utility node, and wherein said master utility node transmits information to said utility monitor.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said central processing unit transmits information from said RF transponder to said communication device, wherein said communication device, central processing unit, and said RF transponder are electronically connected within said master control network, and wherein said RF transponder receives said information from said at least one said satellite networks.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one satellite network comprises:

a satellite data converter, wherein said satellite data converter converts digital data received to RF data, wherein said satellite utility node is coupled to said RF satellite device;

wherein said satellite utility node detects utility information and transmits said utility information to said satellite data converter for transmission to said master control network.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein said at least one said satellite vendor tracking system stores information regarding said at least one said satellite network.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein said satellite vendor tracking system comprises a monitor and at least one vendor tracking module.

7. A system according to claim 5, wherein said satellite vendor tracking module collects data regarding devices connected to said vendor tracking system and transmits said data through said satellite data converter to said RF satellite device for transmission to said master control network.

8. A system according to claim 5, wherein said system 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.

9. A system according to claim 5, wherein said at least one satellite network comprises:

said RF satellite device; and

at least one utility node;

wherein said utility node detects utility information and transmits said information to said RF satellite device; and

wherein said RF satellite device transmits said information to said master

control network.

10. A system according to claim 5, wherein said satellite vendor tracking system comprises an operator interface terminal.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein said information is transmitted between said RF transponder and said RF satellite transponder.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one satellite network comprises:

at least one module; and

a data converter;

wherein each said module collects data and transmits said data to said RF satellite device through said data converter for transmission to said master control network.

13. A system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one satellite network comprises:

at least one satellite vendor tracking module; and

a data converter;

wherein each said satellite vendor tracking module collects vendor tracking data and transmits said vendor tracking data through said data converter to said RF satellite device for transmission to said master control network.

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

a communication device;

a data converter;

a central processing unit; and

wherein said central processing unit receives information from said vendor tracking system module, wherein said RF master device receives information from at least one said satellite network and transmits said information through said data converter to said central processing unit for display via said communication device.

15. A system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one satellite network regulates lighting.

16. A system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one satellite network regulates electricity usage.

17. A system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one satellite network regulates environmental conditions.

18. A system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one satellite network regulates air ventilation.