Communication protocol system and method for a distributed-architecture heating, ventilation and air conditioning network

• US 8,564,400 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2009
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Grohman, Wojciech, Hadzidedic, Darko
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): OTT, FREDERICK R
• Application Number:
  US12/603,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20100107232A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/3.44
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23314 Switch between initialisation, program, test, end of programming, erase mode
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier

Abstract

The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network and a method of manufacturing the same. In an embodiment, the network includes a user interface and a system device. The user interface is configured to publish a privilege request message to a data bus. The system device is configured to receive messages via the data bus and to store configuration data in nonvolatile memory. The system device is further configured to enable a privileged operating mode not normally available to a user of the network in response to the privilege request message.

Claims

1. An HVAC data processing and communication network, comprising:

an active subnet controller configured to act as a network controller;

an inactive subnet controller configured to back up parameters stored in said active controller and to act as the network controller when said active controller malfunctions;

a user interface configured to publish a privilege request message to a data bus;

a system device configured to;

receive messages via said data bus;

store configuration data in nonvolatile memory;

enable a privileged operating mode not normally available to a user of said network in response to said privilege request message; and

wherein said active subnet controller is selected by a negotiation process based on a set of features and parameters of each subnet controller by entering a startup state upon power-up.

2. The network of claim 1, wherein said privileged operating mode enables said system device to write said configuration data to said non-volatile memory, wherein said configuration data conveyed to said system device via one or more configuration messages published by said user interface.

3. The network of claim 1, wherein said privileged operating mode enables a test mode of said system device in which system device receives said configuration data via one or more configuration messages and causes said configuration data to be stored in said non- volatile memory.

4. The network of claim 1, wherein enabling said privileged operating mode includes said system device receiving a password via an authentication message.

5. The network of claim 1, wherein said user interface is configured to send said privilege request message in response to input by an operator.

6. The network of claim 5, wherein said user interface is further configured to receive said input from a remote entity.

7. The network device of claim 6, wherein said user interface is further configured to receive said input via the internet.

8. A method of manufacturing a device networkable in an HVAC data processing and communication network, comprising:

configuring a physical layer interface to interface to a network;

configuring a communication module to send and receive messages over said network via said physical layer interface, said messages including communications with an active subnet controller of said network that acts as a network controller of said network and an inactive subnet controller configured to act as said network controller when said active subnet controller malfunctions, said inactive subnet controller configured to back up parameters stored in said active controller;

configuring a non-volatile memory to store configuration data; and

configuring a functional block to respond to a privilege request message received by said communication module thereby enabling a privileged operating mode not normally available to a user of said network; and

selecting the active subnet controller by a negotiating process based on a set of features and parameters of each subnet controller by entering a startup state upon power-up.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said privileged operating mode enables writing said configuration data to said non-volatile memory, wherein said configuration data are received via one or more configuration messages.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said privileged operating mode enables a test mode of said functional block grants access to said in which said functional block receives said configuration data via one or more configuration messages and causes said configuration data to be stored in said non-volatile memory.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein enabling said privileged operating mode includes receiving a password via an authentication message.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising a user interface configured to send said privilege request message in response to input by an operator.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said user interface is further configured to receive said input from a remote entity.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said user interface is further configured to receive said input via the internet.

15. A system device of an HVAC data processing and communication network, comprising:

a physical layer interface configured to interface to said network;

a communication module configured to send and receive messages over said network via said physical layer interface;

a non-volatile memory configured to store configuration data; and

a functional block adapted to respond to a privilege request message received by said communication module thereby enabling a privileged operating mode not normally available to a user of said network;

wherein said communication module is configured to communicate with an active subnet controller acting as a network controller of said network and an inactive subnet controller when acting as said network controller when said active subnet controller malfunctions;

wherein said inactive subnet controller is configured to backup parameters stored in said active controller; and

wherein said active subnet controller is selected by a negotiation process based on a set of features and parameters of each subnet controller by entering a startup state upon power-up.

16. The system device of claim 15, wherein said privileged operating mode enables writing said configuration data to said non-volatile memory, wherein said configuration data are received via one or more configuration messages.

17. The system device of claim 15, wherein said privileged operating mode enables a test mode of said functional block in which said functional block receives said configuration data via one or more configuration messages and causes said configuration data to be stored in said non-volatile memory.

18. The system device of claim 15, wherein enabling said privileged operating mode includes receiving a password via an authentication message.

19. The system device of claim 15, further comprising a user interface configured to send said privilege request message in response to input by an operator.

20. The system device of claim 19, wherein said user interface is further configured to receive said input from a remote entity.