NO890236L - ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM. - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for a control system for electrical devices, as described in patent claim 1.

Background for the invention

There are various systems on the market for controlling light, heating and alarms. These systems are realized in different ways. Some use low-current signaling over their own signal cables, others signal over the power supply network. The circuit breakers are often placed centrally in the fuse box, a solution that is both expensive and inflexible as this leads to a large number of power courses and that new power supply cables must be pulled in the event of any subsequent changes. The systems that exist are in practice dedicated control systems for either light, heat or alarm.

From US patent 4 429 299 an alarm/monitoring system is known with transmitters and receivers that use the power supply network for signaling. This is based on a room as a unit, and does not have individual addressing of donors/recipients. In the aforementioned known system, all signaling takes place over the power supply network, also for units that do not need 110/230V power supply. Furthermore, communication takes place through central polling, which results in a relatively low bandwidth and poor response time. The system will therefore be unsuitable for e.g. control of light.

Purpose of the invention

The main purpose of the invention is to come up with a control system for electrical devices where it is possible to process information from individual donors with the aim of being able to control individual power outlets.

A further purpose of the invention is to satisfy the requirements for both safety and speed when controlling both light, heat and alarm, so that all three functions can be integrated in one and the same system.

Another purpose of the invention is to be as flexible as possible with regard to the medium for signalling, so that it is possible to use the invention in the best way for both new and old buildings and facilities.

A further purpose of the invention is to provide a concept that is economical in both installation and operation, as well as in subsequent changes and maintenance.

The above-mentioned purposes are achieved through a method in accordance with the present invention, described in the characterizing parts of the attached patent claims.

Description of drawings

In the following, examples of implementation of the invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings, where

figure 1 shows an example of cable routing in an installation in accordance with the invention.

figure 2 shows a matrix for logical connection between sensors and power outlets in accordance with the invention.

figure 3 shows an embodiment in accordance with the invention where the donor network and outlet network are connected together through a connection bridge in the central unit.

Description of embodiments

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, three main components are included: Power take-off, transmitters and one or more central units which link a number of the two first-mentioned components together.

Power take-off means all points in an installation, outside the fuse box, where power can be taken out for one purpose or another. Examples of power outlets in a home would be plug sockets, light fittings, connection boxes for

heating cables/heating foils, air conditioning systems etc).

Each power outlet is given its unique address in the system. The assignment of address can be done, for example, by means of micro-switches ("dip-switches"), or by means of other known techniques in a manner that is known in itself, and does not form part of the present invention. If one now equips each power outlet with electronics to be able to recognize its own address as well as simple commands (OFF, ON etc), the power outlets will be able to be controlled remotely. This remote control is preferably done by signaling over the power supply network (230V), thus avoiding pulling a separate signal cable. However, it is within the scope of the invention to use other forms of signaling for the power outlets, e.g. using a separate network. The power outlets' signaling network will hereafter be called "outlet network". The name only describes function and does not take a stand on how and by means of which medium the network is realized.

The circuit breakers are built-in locally in the individual power outlets. The term "switches" is not limited to on/off devices, but also switching elements with options for regulation within an interval. Such regulation can take place in steps, in sliding transitions, or in other ways that are well known. As the circuit breakers are not centrally located in the fuse box, but distributed around the installation built into the individual power outlets, an appropriate division of the overall system into power courses will be exclusively determined based on the load the individual power outlets represent and where the various outlets are physically located in relation to each other. How the individual power outlets are to be managed and which outlets are to be managed together is completely irrelevant to the course breakdown.

The remote control of the individual power outlets over the outlet network takes place on the basis of messages given by various sensors distributed around the installation. In this context, transmitters are understood as devices which in one way or another should be able to influence or provide information about the state of the system, defined as the state of the total set of controllable power outlets coupled with parameters such as temperature outside and in the individual rooms, time of day, weekday or weekend etc. Activation of a transmitter (with the subsequent sending of a message to the central unit) can either be triggered manually (press the light switch) or automatically (smoke detector, thermostat etc). Examples of such sensors would be switches and regulators for light and heat, temperature sensors, various detectors for alarm and monitoring, etc. By including one or more infrared receivers, the installation can also be controlled remotely, in whole or in part, using a remote control of the same type as a for example user against TV. This is already known, e.g. from German patent DE 3 035 965.

The sensors are connected together in one or a number of loops, hereafter called "the sensor network". For new buildings, it will probably be most economical to connect the sensors together by a separate, low-current loop. This can be realized in different ways. One example is in patent document GB 2 123 589 which describes a fault tolerant three-wire connection, two others are Phillips' I 2 C and D 2B serial buses. In order to be able to easily install the system in existing facilities, however, the central unit should also be able to use the power supply network as a donor network. This will also be appropriate in cases where a transmitter is located far from the others (e.g. light switch in a garage), then you don't have to make a separate signaling loop long detours just for the sake of this transmitter.

Although feeder and outlet networks are realized by different cable systems, both networks use the same signaling protocol. It is then possible for a donor to send a message to a power outlet directly, without bypassing the central unit. If the two networks are implemented on separate cable systems, the interface between them will carry out the necessary signal conversion. By making use of this possibility of direct connection generator - power outlet, the system can thus be made tolerant to faults in the central unit.

As will be described later, the logical connection between sensors and power outlets is defined through a connection matrix in the central unit. In addition, however, each donor has assigned its standard power outlet(s). This is defined in the donors' electronics using micro-switches, program parameters, or using other known techniques. A sensor of the light switch type can, for example, by default be connected to a specific lamp point with a given address, a sensor of the thermostat type can be connected to one or more power outlets for panel ovens with other addresses, etc.

Every time a sensor is activated, at least two messages, hereafter numbered l-n, are always sent out on the sensor network: Message no. 1 is addressed to the central unit, messages 2-n directly to the assigned standard power outlets. The interface between the donor and outlet network contains a connection bridge. This link bridge acts as a message filter, controlled by a watchdog mechanism in the central unit: As long as the central unit is functioning, the link bridge will route message No. 1, addressed to the central unit, to it. The central unit receives the message, decodes it using the connection matrix and then sends one (or more) commands out to the affected power outlet(s) over the outlet network. Messages 2-n, addressed directly to the assigned standard power outlets are removed by the connection bridge and never reach the addressed power outlets.

If the central unit goes down for some reason, this will be detected by the connection bridge by

the watchdog signal does not appear. The connecting bridge then disconnects the central unit (message no. 1 addressed until the central unit is removed) and establishes the direct connection donor - standard power outlet. Messages 2-n (addressed to the assigned standard power outlets) are then sent on, after any signal conversion, on the outlet network to the addressed power outlets. In principle, the transmitter now signals directly to its (its) standard power outlet. This is illustrated in Figure 3.

In the same way as the power outlets, all the donors will have their own, unique address. When a transmitter is activated (manually or automatically), it will send two or more messages out on the transmitter network, the first message is addressed to the central unit, the subsequent ones are addressed to the transmitter's standard power outlet. The message to the central unit contains the donor's address as well as the reason for activation (press the light switch, smoke detected, etc.). The message(s) for standard power outlets contain commands for these (OFF, ON etc). In order to facilitate and secure communication (possibilities for error check, checksum), the messages may also include data for this purpose.

When the central unit receives a message from a donor, the central unit will take action. The connection between message (influence) and action (response) can be illustrated using a "connection matrix". An example of a model of such a matrix is shown in fig. 2. The connection matrix contains a complete description of the connection between the individual sensors and power outlets. This connection can either be provided by the received message alone (containing the donor's address, activation reason, etc), or it can also be a function of (parts of) the system's total state at the moment, possibly also the history of the current state. The state of the system includes parameters such as which power outlets are switched on, temperature outside and in the various rooms, time of day, weekday or weekend, etc. On this basis, a decision is then made as to which action the received message should entail. There may also be a possibility that nothing should happen as a response to certain messages, but that the messages should be saved and a response later e.g. together with other messages through a logical AND function or similar. Of course, all state parameters are not relevant for all generator and power outlet combinations (how the light switches work, for example, is unlikely to be a function of the temperature). However, the invention itself places no limitation on the connection between sensors, power outlets and state parameters, this is determined solely by how you want the system to function.

Note that fig. 2 is intended to give an example of how such a connection matrix could in principle be built up, it says nothing about how it is realized in practice.

In this context, action/response means switching on/off or regulation of one or more power outlets. In contrast to today's installation systems where the sensors (e.g. light switches) are physically connected to one or more power outlets (light points), according to the invention, one will have a purely logical connection between the sensor and the power outlet via the program in the central unit.

Compared to today's installation systems, the invention offers a number of advantages for both the manufacturer and installer as well as for the client: - Economy. The concept is modular, together with the benefits of integration and a significant reduction in the necessary cabling, this results in a system that will be cost-effective in homes as well as offices, institutions and commercial buildings. -New/old facilities. The system can be installed in both new and existing facilities. -Flexible. The transmitters are placed where they should be for operating reasons/comfort, regardless of where the power outlets are located. Changing the sensor/power outlet connection (e.g. light switch/light point) is easily done in the control panel. -New features. The possibilities are many, for example: group lighting - cohesive light points, e.g. decorative lights, controlled by the same switch.

night light - with the help of a light switch by the bed, all lights that are to be extinguished are turned off and all lights that are to be lit are turned on when you go to bed for the night.

away - automation ensures that lights are naturally turned off and on when you are away.

-Remote control. The system can be easily controlled remotely, e.g. using a TV-like infrared remote control, by

include a receiver for infrared signaling in the transmitter network. -Energy management. By connecting all electric heat sources via addressable power outlets, these time (day and night lowering) and temperature can be controlled from the central unit. The temperature is read from temperature sensors connected to the sensor network, alternatively temperature control can also take place using a local thermostat located at the individual heat source. The possibility of local overriding of the system (with automatic reset after a certain time) can be entered very easily. - A large degree of integration opens up new opportunities. Examples of this: the same temperature sensors are used by both alarm functions and the heating control.

if no switches are touched, e.g. 24 hours, this can be used as an indication that something is wrong (security alarm for the elderly).

Claims (8)

1. Method for controlling electrical devices comprising a number of distributed power outlets capable of performing various actions, such as switching off lights, regulating heat, triggering fire extinguishing systems, etc., a number of distributed sensors and a central unit, characterized in that the power outlets are given their unique address, the sensors are given their unique address, and that the central unit provides a description of a logical connection between the sensors and the power outlets, so that activation of a sensor and/or response from a sensor to a question from the central unit, gives a signal to the central unit, which in turn processes the signal, and, on the basis of the logical connection, sends a message to the affected power outlets to take the necessary actions, and that control of one or more of the object groups light, heat, alarms, etc. can occur within one and the same system. 2. Procedure in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that the same physical cable system as the power outlets is used for the transmission of signals from the sensors. 3. Procedure in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that a different physical cable system than the power outlets is used for the transmission of signals from the sensors. 4. Procedure in accordance with requirements 1-2, characterized by the fact that the central unit can combine the information from the donors with information about the state of the system otherwise (time, etc.) for the initiation of actions. 5. Method in accordance with one or more of the preceding requirements, characterized in that the power outlets can be controlled as on/off switches, and/or regulators where the voltage can be changed evenly and/or in steps within the interval fully off and fully on. 6. Procedure in accordance with one or more of the preceding requirements, characterized by the fact that the donors themselves can initiate actions at their defined standard power outlets should the central unit fail. 7. Procedure in accordance with one or more of the preceding requirements, characterized in that several systems controlled by each central unit can be synchronized, by direct communication between them and/or via a superior control unit. 8. Device for an electrical system, especially for homes, offices and the like for carrying out the procedure in accordance with requirements 1-7, where there is a wiring network for at least one power outlet, and where there are also one or more signal transmitters for switch status, etc., and/or one or more signal transmitters to transmit a signal about temperature or similar in the room, to a central unit, characterized in that all sensor outlets and power outlets are individually addressable, and that the central unit includes circuits for both interrupt-driven and polled signaling to the sensors, and that this the signaling goes on a common signal channel, furthermore there are circuits in the central unit which enable signaling to the central unit from sensors and from the central unit to the power outlet to take place over its own signaling network and/or over the power supply network.