Environment control device (ECD) and method for configuring the ECD to operate a Wi-Fi communication interface

• US 9,838,959 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2016
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Distech Controls, Inc. (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Distech Controls, Inc. (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Inventors: Breton, Danny
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DANH C
• Application Number:
  US15/007,302
• Publication Number:
  US 20160219502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 455419, 455418, 4555501, 370338
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/08 Configuration management of networks or network elements address allocation H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/74 Address processing for routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/04 Arrangements for maintaining operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/16 Involving different core network technologies, e.g. a packet-switched [PS] bearer in combination with a circuit-switched [CS] bearer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/22 with access to wired networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an environment control device (ECD) and a method. The ECD and method comprise a first communication interface, a second communication interface of the Wi-Fi type, and a processing unit. The processing unit sends a DHCP-DISCOVER message via the first communication interface. The processing unit also configures the ECD to operate the second communication interface as a Wi-Fi Access Point if a DHCP-OFFER message is received in response to the DHCP-DISCOVER message via the first communication interface. The processing unit also configures the ECD to operate the second communication interface as a Wi-Fi hotspot if no DHCP-OFFER message is received in response to the DHCP-DISCOVER message via the first communication interface.

Claims

1. An environment controller, comprising:

a first communication interface;

a second communication interface of the Wi-Fi type; and

a processing unit for;

sending a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol-DISCOVER (DHCP-DISCOVER) message via the first communication interface;

configuring the environment controller to operate the second communication interface as a Wi-Fi Access Point if a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol-OFFER (DHCP-OFFER) message is received in response to the DHCP-DISCOVER message via the first communication interface;

configuring the environment controller to operate the second communication interface as a Wi-Fi hotspot if no DHCP-OFFER message is received in response to the DHCP-DISCOVER message via the first communication interface;

receiving an environmental characteristic value from one of a sensor or a relay via the second communication interface, and determining an environmental state based on the environmental characteristic value; and

generating a command based on the environmental state, and transmitting the command to one of a controlled appliance or a relay via the second communication interface.

2. The environment controller of claim 1, further comprising a USB controller for receiving a USB key implementing the second communication interface.

3. The environment controller of claim 2, wherein the USB key comprises configuration data for configuring at least one of the Wi-Fi Access Point and the Wi-Fi hotspot.

4. The environment controller of claim 3, wherein the configuration data comprise at least one of a SSID, an encryption standard, and a password.

5. The environment controller of claim 1, wherein a computing device associates with one of the operated Wi-Fi Access Point or the operated Wi-Fi hotspot, the processing unit receives configuration data from the computing device via the second communication interface, and the processing unit processes the configuration data to configure the environment controller.

6. The environment controller of claim 1, wherein the environment controller is configured to operate the second communication interface as a Wi-Fi Access Point and a computing device associates with the Wi-Fi Access Point;

the processing unit receives a DHCP-DISCOVER message from the computing device via the second communication interface and forwards the DHCP-DISCOVER message through the first communication interface; and

the processing unit receives a DHCP-OFFER message in response to the DHCP-DISCOVER message via the first communication interface and forwards the DHCP-OFFER message to the computing device through the second communication interface, the DHCP-OFFER message comprising an IP address allocated to the computing device.

7. The environment controller of claim 1, wherein the environment controller is configured to operate the second communication interface as a Wi-Fi hotspot and a computing device associates with the Wi-Fi hotspot;

the processing unit receives a DHCP-DISCOVER message from the computing device via the second communication interface, generates a DHCP-OFFER message in response to the DHCP-DISCOVER message, and transmits the DHCP-OFFER message to the computing device through the second communication interface, the DHCP-OFFER message comprising an IP address allocated to the computing device.

8. The environment controller of claim 1, wherein the Wi-Fi hotspot provides an independent Wi-Fi based IP network managed by the environment controller.

9. The environment controller of claim 1, wherein configuring the environment controller to operate the second communication interface as a Wi-Fi Access Point comprises configuring the second communication interface with an IP address contained in the DHCP-OFFER message.

10. The environment controller of claim 1, wherein configuring the environment controller to operate the second communication interface as a Wi-Fi hotspot comprises configuring the second communication interface with an IP address determined by the environment controller.

11. A relay, comprising:

a first communication interface;

a second communication interface of the Wi-Fi type; and

a processing unit for;

sending a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol-DISCOVER (DHCP-DISCOVER) message via the first communication interface;

configuring the relay to operate the second communication interface as a Wi-Fi Access Point if a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol-OFFER (DHCP-OFFER) message is received in response to the DHCP-DISCOVER message via the first communication interface;

configuring the relay to operate the second communication interface as a Wi-Fi hotspot if no DHCP-OFFER message is received in response to the DHCP-DISCOVER message via the first communication interface; and

performing at least one of;

receiving an environmental characteristic value from a sensor via the second communication interface and transmitting the environmental characteristic value to an environment controller via the first communication interface; and

receiving a command from an environment controller via the first communication interface and transmitting the command to a controlled appliance via the second communication interface.

12. The relay of claim 11, further comprising a USB controller for receiving a USB key implementing the second communication interface.

13. The relay of claim 12, wherein the USB key comprises configuration data for configuring at least one of the Wi-Fi Access Point and the Wi-Fi hotspot.

14. The relay of claim 13, wherein the configuration data comprise at least one of a SSID, an encryption standard, and a password.

15. The relay of claim 11, wherein a computing device associates with one of the operated Wi-Fi Access Point or the operated Wi-Fi hotspot, the processing unit receives configuration data from the computing device via the second communication interface, and the processing unit processes the configuration data to configure the relay.

16. The relay of claim 11, wherein the relay is configured to operate the second communication interface as a Wi-Fi Access Point and a computing device associates with the Wi-Fi Access Point;

the processing unit receives a DHCP-DISCOVER message from the computing device via the second communication interface and forwards the DHCP-DISCOVER message through the first communication interface; and

the processing unit receives a DHCP-OFFER message in response to the DHCP-DISCOVER message via the first communication interface and forwards the DHCP-OFFER message to the computing device through the second communication interface, the DHCP-OFFER message comprising an IP address allocated to the computing device.

17. The relay of claim 11, wherein the relay is configured to operate the second communication interface as a Wi-Fi hotspot and a computing device associates with the Wi-Fi hotspot;

the processing unit receives a DHCP-DISCOVER message from the computing device via the second communication interface, generates a DHCP-OFFER message in response to the DHCP-DISCOVER message, and transmits the DHCP-OFFER message to the computing device through the second communication interface, the DHCP-OFFER message comprising an IP address allocated to the computing device.

18. The relay of claim 11, wherein the Wi-Fi hotspot provides an independent Wi-Fi based IP network managed by the relay.

19. The relay of claim 11, wherein configuring the relay to operate the second communication interface as a Wi-Fi Access Point comprises configuring the second communication interface with an IP address contained in the DHCP-OFFER message.

20. The relay of claim 11, wherein configuring the relay to operate the second communication interface as a Wi-Fi hotspot comprises configuring the second communication interface with an IP address determined by the relay.