WO2018122469A1

WO2018122469A1 - Control system for modular building units

Info

Publication number: WO2018122469A1
Application number: PCT/FI2018/050003
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ville Volanen; Joona RIEKKINEN
Original assignee: Metsi Oy
Priority date: 2016-12-30
Filing date: 2018-01-02
Publication date: 2018-07-05

Abstract

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processing core, at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus (120) at least to participate in controlling a plurality of devices (140) interfaced with a plurality of building units (100, 102, 103) and to interface with one of the building units.

Description

Control system for modular building units

BACKGROUND

[0001] Temporary structures may answer a variety of requirements, such as shelter, storage, and animal storage, for example. In temporary building solutions, building units may comprise structural elements and various kinds of devices, which may be controlled by persons, artificial intelligence or animals housed in the building units. For example, lights may be installed in building units, which an occupant of the building unit may be enabled to turn on and off.

[0002] When temporary structures are based on modular structures, control of devices may be accomplished from inside the respective modules or building units. Habitation or storage solutions, are preferably low-cost and capable of being assembled using local labour. Additionally, local climates present specific design objectives, for example as it relates to heating or cooling building units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Some specific embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processing core, at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to participate in controlling a plurality of devices interfaced with a plurality of building units and to interface with one of the building units .According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: causing an apparatus at least to participate in controlling a plurality of devices interfaced with a plurality of building units, and interfacing with one of the building units .According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for causing an apparatus at least to participate in controlling a plurality of devices interfaced with a plurality of building units, and means for interfacing with one of the building units. [0005] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least: cause an apparatus at least to participate in controlling a plurality of devices interfaced with a plurality of building units, and interface with one of the building units.

[0006] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus in accordance with the first aspect, wherein the devices to be controlled include ingresses into the building unit.

[0007] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus in accordance with the first aspect, wherein the apparatus is controllable via a mobile device.

[0008] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus in accordance with the first aspect, wherein wherein the at least one processing core is comprised in at least one of the following: programmable logic controller, processor, ASIC, and FPGA.

[0009] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus in accordance with the first aspect, wherein at least two of the building units are situated adjacent to one another. [0010] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus in accordance with the first aspect, wherein the building units are adapted to confine animals.

[0011] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least: cause an apparatus at least to participate in controlling a plurality of devices interfaced with a plurality of building units, and interface with one of the building units.

[0012] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for causing an apparatus at least to participate in controlling a plurality of devices interfaced with a plurality of building units, and means for interfacing with one of the building units. [0013] Additional aspects of the invention are detailed in the claims, drawings and specification of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIGURE 1 illustrates a modular building unit solution in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention;

[0015] FIGURE 2 illustrates an example network topology formed by at least some embodiments of the present invention, and

[0016] FIGURE 3 is a flow graph of a method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Temporary structures may answer a variety of requirements, such as shelter, housing, incarceration, office, hotel rooms, toilets, showers, police and military premises, housing, storage, and animal storage, for example. In the present disclosure, a control system for modular building unit solutions is introduced. In some embodiments, units may autonomously be added to the system. Controllers of building units may dynamically assume master and slave roles.

[0018] FIGURE 1 illustrates a modular building unit solution in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. The reference sign 100 denotes a building unit, 101 and 102 are likewise building units, 120 is a controller, 130 is an enclosure for the controller with optional protection, 140 is a device, which may be controllable by a controller, 150 is an ingress into the building unit and 800 is a human.

[0019] FIGURE 2 illustrates an example network topology formed by at least some embodiments of the present invention. The controllers 202, 204, 206 and 208 have formed a network wherein the master controller acts as a gateway to a network 201. All controllers relay data to one another. Any of the networks may be an ad hoc network. The controller 202, having assumed a controlling role, may control devices in building units controlled by controllers 204, 206, and 208. Likewise, controller 202 may communicate with network 201 on the behalf of any of the controllers 204, 206 and 208. The building units may include controllers 202, 204, 206 and 208, which may autonomously form an ad hoc network, to enable their communication with each other.

[0020] FIGURE 3 is a flow graph of a method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. Phase 310 comprises causing an apparatus at least to participate in controlling a plurality of devices interfaced with a plurality of building units. Phase 320 comprises interfacing with one of the building units.

[0021] In the present disclosure, one objective is to provide a control system for modular building units. One definition of a modular building unit could be a unit incorporating at least space for habitation or storage, devices related to habitation or storage, and various interfaces and structural implementations. These building units may then be used in conjunction with one another to form a habitation or storage solution. In some embodiments, building units with variations in control or construction, units manufactured in a different manner or permanent structures may also form part of the resulting habitation or storage solution. In some embodiments, the building unit may be used primarily for habitation.

[0022] One objective of the present disclosure is the reusability and reconfigurability of the modular solution, achieved by the dynamic interfacing of the individual building units with each other and/or an external network. In this context reusability requires that the building units may be used in a different modular solution, which may occur after an initial use of the building units, without appreciable loss of functionality. In some embodiments, reusability is facilitated by building units which have been specifically designed for reuse. Alternatively, the reuse of the building units may have been planned before construction begins. In some embodiments, reconfigurability means that the building units may be assembled into various different habitation or storage solutions, for example without adding or removing building units. One of the benefits inherent in the building units detailed in the present disclosure is that the reuse and reconfiguration may be done quickly compared to the construction of permanent structures.

[0023] In accordance with the present disclosure, the individual building units may be sized so that they are transportable using, for example, a truck. The building units may be sized according to the intended use. For example, a unit suitable for human habitation may use a footprint from 6 m² to 50 m². The building units may comprise any suitable geometric shape. The building units may comprise a plurality of walls, roofs, floors, doors and windows. The building units may be built from building elements which are comprised of, for example, at least one of the following: metal, plastic, wire, brick, stone, frozen water. In some embodiments, the building units may be painted or camouflaged. The building units may comprise a controller and one or more devices. The building units may comprise cargo containers, prefabricated housing solutions, premanufactured elements, or cages, for example. In some embodiments, the building units may be located physically adjacent to or overlapping each other.

[0024] In order to achieve the required habitation or storage solution, a plurality of building units and, optionally, other elements form a combination. At least a subset of the building units in the combination are connected via various means comprising: physical, electrical, plumbing, ventilation, communications and security, for example. At least a subset of the elements in the combination may be controlled through a single building unit's controller, i.e. a 'master controller'. A master controller is a controller without a connection to other controllers or a controller controlling at least one other controller. Alternatively, a controller may be controlled, i.e. a 'slave controller'. A controller may switch modes between master and slave in response to determination criteria, outlined below.

[0025] In the present disclosure, devices may be installed in, included in or used in conjunction with the building units which are comprised in the habitation or storage solution. These devices may comprise, for example, at least one of the following: lights, plumbing devices such as a toilet, a shower and faucets, heating devices, ventilation devices, air conditioning, locks, alarms, doors, windows, actuators, cameras, microphones, speakers, television, computing devices, beds, tables. A device may require additional hardware or software for control purposes, such as a relay or a relay controller. In some embodiments, input data, output data, or metadata relating to the inputs and outputs may be automatically stored into the controller's memory and transmitted via the network. [0026] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, it is advantageous that the habitation or storage solution is designed to securely contain, incarcerate or confine at least a subset of the contents of the building units. In this context, secure containment, incarceration or confinement may mean, for example, at least one of the following: that the contents cannot escape, leave, or exit the building unit without the acquiescence of the system responsible for the management of the building unit or combination and that the contents cannot be accessed by parties not authorized by said system. The building elements and devices of the building unit may be secured against interference, tampering or disablement by means comprising: bars, wires, razor wire, protective coverings and electric fences, for example. The above 'contents' or 'entities' may include but is not limited to any of the following: humans, animals or inanimate objects. The above mentioned term 'parties' includes but is not limited to any combination of the following: humans, animals or inanimate objects. The solution may comprise at least partly one of the following: a jail, prison, holding facility, detention center, interrogation facility and a mink farm. [0027] In some embodiments, a programmable logic controller, PLC, may be used as the controller of a building unit. The standard IEC 61131 defines programmable logic controllers, however, in the present disclosure the term PLC is not limited to the standard. The PLC may be connected to the devices by a variety of means, including but not limited to electrical wires. Another type of controller may comprise, for example, a computing device such a server, node or cloud computing device. Comprised in the computing device is a processor, which may comprise, for example, a single- or multi-core processor wherein a single-core processor comprises one processing core and a multi-core processor comprises more than one processing core. The processor may comprise more than one processor. A processing core may comprise, for example, a Cortex-A8 processing core by ARM Holdings or a Steamroller processing core produced by Advanced Micro Devices Corporation. The processor may comprise at least one Qualcomm Snapdragon and/or Intel Core processor, for example. The processor may comprise at least one application-specific integrated circuit, ASIC. The processor may comprise at least one field-programmable gate array, FPGA. The processor may be a means for performing method steps in the computing device. The processor may be configured, at least in part by computer instructions, to perform actions. [0028] In some embodiments, a network is used to facilitate communication to and from controllers, devices and other elements. The network technologies comprise: wireless local area network, WLAN, Ethernet, universal serial bus, USB, and/or worldwide interoperability for microwave access, WiMAX, standards, and satellite communication methods, for example. Alternatively or additionally, a proprietary communication framework may be utilized. In some embodiments, separate networks may be used for one or more of the following purposes: communication between controllers, communication between controllers and devices, communication between controllers and servers, et cetera.

[0029] As stated above, in relation to the current disclosure, the status of the system, a controller or a device may be adjusted according to various determination criteria comprising: preprogrammed instructions, communications received from other devices including the presence or absence of first or third party devices, elapsed time, preset time, measurements internal or external to the housing or storage solution, user inputs and timing, battery levels, network data, detected usage, planned usage or any combination thereof. Units may also have preprogrammed activities or processes. These may be triggered based on the criteria listed above.

[0030] In an illustrative embodiment, several identical rectangular building units are situated adjacently to one another to form a row, with the doors of the building units facing in the same direction. An additional, differently configured building unit is placed in such a manner that the doors of the row of building units connect to the long side of the additional building unit. The resulting combination may then be used to contain several contents, such as humans, in a secure manner. For example, the combination might be used to confine or incarcerate humans. Each content typically occupies a subset of the combination, for example a single building unit. In different situations a single building unit might contain several contents or that a single combination might only house a single content. Some building units may perform different tasks in the combination, for example one unit may function as a bathroom or meeting room. [0031] In the embodiment described above, the controller of one of the building units will act as the master controller for the entire combination or a subset of the combination. Effectively this means that any commands to a device interfaced in a building unit with a slave controller may be sent via another building unit's master controller. In some embodiments, individual controllers may monitor the statuses of the devices connected to the individual controllers. The statuses may be communicated to the master controller and, optionally, to a network. In some embodiments, devices will require both an on/off input and a data connection. This requirement may be handled by connecting both the on/off input and the data connection via a controller. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the connections may be routed directly to a master controller or the network. [0032] In the embodiment described above, the system is controlled, for example, via a mobile device, by authorized personnel. In general, the system may be controlled via a user interface. In some embodiments, the user interface comprises a smartphone application, HTML page, and/or proprietary software, for example. The user interface may be used to control the combination via the master controller. [0033] In some embodiments, the combination of building units may function as a permanent or temporary prison, jail, confinement, incarceration or interrogation facility. The building units may be comprised wholly or partly from cargo containers. The combination may include permanent structures and interfaces to permanent structures.

[0034] The devices situated within a building unit may be controlled both from within the building unit and from the user interface, with the control from the user interface overriding the controls within the building unit. For example, a toilet situated within the building unit may be activated from within the building unit or from the user interface. However, the toilet control within the building unit may also be deactivated via the user interfaces. In this instance 'deactivation' means that the device will not respond to control signals from within the building unit. Some aspects of the control may be performed manually or automatically based on a variety of criteria for determinations as listed above. For example, lights may be activated within the building unit manually or via a timer or via an external signal consisting of the determination criteria.

[0035] In some embodiments, the controller, devices and other elements may be situated in a secured enclosure such as the enclosure 130. The enclosure may be located inside or outside of the building unit. Several building units may share a single enclosure. The enclosure may perform a secondary function in addition to its primary protective function, for example it may function as a bed, bench, storage compartment, or a partition.

[0036] On a hardware level, the devices may be controlled, for example, by a relay device which in turn is connected to the controller present in the respective building unit. This controller may act as a master or slave controller as described above. If the controller is operating in master mode, instructions relating to the device may be received directly from the network. If the controller is operating in slave mode, the instructions may be received from the master controller and relayed to the device.

[0037] In some embodiments, the combination of building units may encompass a permanent structure in addition to the modular building units. In an illustrative embodiment, the building units are situated no more than 100 meters from the permanent structure. Some of the building units are not adjacent to other, but are situated for example 10 meters apart. The building units and the permanent structure are linked to a wireless network, used to control the combination and connect the building units to one another.

[0038] In the embodiment described above, encompassing the permanent structure, the combination of building units may be controlled remotely from a geographically separate location. This system is controlled via two master controllers, which are situated in the modular building units. One of the master controllers also controls all or some of the devices of the permanent structure. In this embodiment the building units are linked via a network but they are not physically adjacent to one another. [0039] In some embodiments, each controller is configured to assume a controlling or controlled role initially. For example, a controller may have preprogrammed instructions which define the initial role of the controller, i.e. master or slave. These instructions may be in the form of computer code stored in the memory of the controller. In some embodiments the controllers have the capability to receive updates to the instructions via the network automatically or manually. This capability allows system support personnel to update and configure the system over the internet, for example adding new features or correcting any defects.

[0040] In some of the embodiments, the controller interfaced with a building unit may switch between a controlling role (master) and a controlled role (slave) while operating. For example, the controller of a building unit may have instructions to act as a slave to another specific controller if that controller is present, or, if the controller is not present, to act as a master for any other controllers joined to the network. This ensures continuity in operating, which is critical especially for secure facilities. In some embodiments, the switch may be triggered by a manual instruction which is transmitted over the network or is locally input via, for example, a button. In some embodiments, the switch may be triggered automatically by preset instructions in the controller memory or via instructions received over the network.

[0041] In some embodiments, building units may be added or removed due to planned or unplanned action. In this eventuality, the controllers of the building units retain the capability of acting as a master or slave controller in relation to other building units connected to at least one network, whatever the location of the building units.

[0042] In some embodiments, the controllers are identified by unique identifiers or identification data. The identifiers may comprise numerals, IP addresses, physical addresses, names, or alphanumeric characters, for example. In some embodiments, a list or index of these unique identifiers, or an index of identification data, is stored in the memory of each controller. The storage may comprise a database. In some embodiments, the list or index is used at least partly as a determination criterion for switching between a controlling role and a controllable role. In some embodiments, the list or index stored in the memory of each controller may be updated based on information received via the network, or alternatively or additionally, updated based on other determination criteria listed above. In some embodiments, the role of master controller is allocated between the controllers based on serial numbers, for example, that the controller of the building unit with the lowest serial number assumes the role of master. [0043] The architecture of the present disclosure has significant benefits. Utilizing a hierarchical control system as opposed to a peer-to-peer control system results in less communication overhead. Additionally the hierarchical system may allow for configuring the communications capabilities differently for building units envisioned to interface as master controllers. For example, not all building units will require a satellite communications system, if the master controller is acting as a so-called gateway building unit facilitating communications to the satellite-based network. The system is designed to accommodate many different requirements for various situations. In some embodiments, the hierarchical control system is automatically or manually reconfigurable as a result of the ability of the controllers to assume a controlling or controlled role based on the determination criteria listed above.

[0044] In some embodiments, the network topology might resemble an ad hoc network. An ad hoc network may refer to a system of network elements that combine to form a network requiring little or no planning in advance. The network may be based on wired or wireless technology or a combination of the two. In the network, each node may participate in routing by forwarding data for other nodes. The determination of which nodes may forward data is made dynamically on the basis of network connectivity. Alternatively or additionally, the ad hoc network may utilize a flooding approach wherein each incoming data packet is sent to every outgoing network link except the one it arrived on. In some embodiments, the controllers may be pre-programmed with rules, data and configurations, for example, to facilitate the creation of an ad hoc network. In some embodiments, the network topology is changed without user intervention as a result of changes in status of individual controllers.

[0045] A controller in an ad hoc network may act as a gateway to an external network, responsive to acting in the gateway role, may assume the master controller role. This provides the benefits of reducing a need to forward instructions received from the external network within the ad hoc network. In some embodiments, separate networks formed by the controllers will communicate with each other via at least one gateway. The role of master controller may shift, for example, responsive to a change in ad hoc network topology between the housing units.

[0046] In the present disclosure the determination criteria for deciding between master and slave mode may be used singly or jointly to automatically or manually change the status of one or more controllers from controlling to controlled or vice versa. As an example, should a master controller unexpectedly lose electrical power, at least one of remaining building units may switch to controlling mode to maintain the status of their individual devices. When the original controller's power is restored, the system will automatically revert to the previous configuration. In some embodiments, the instructions relating to the master and slave mode changeover comprise instructions relating to deadlock, conflict, and locked resource issues, for example.

[0047] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0048] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Where reference is made to a numerical value using a term such as, for example, about or substantially, the exact numerical value is also disclosed.

[0049] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.

[0050] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In this description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0051] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

[0052] The verbs "to comprise" and "to include" are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of "a" or "an", that is, a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0053] At least some embodiments of the present invention find industrial application in temporary housing, construction and incarceration, for example.

ACRONYMS LIST

ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit

FPGA Field-Programmable Gate Array

HTML Hypertext Markup Language

PLC Programmable Logic Controller REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

Building unit

Controller

Enclosure

Device

Ingress

Human

Network

Controller

Phases of method

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus (120) comprising at least one processing core, at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to participate in controlling a plurality of devices(140) , characterized in that the apparatus (120) and devices (140) are interfaced with a plurality of modular and reconfigurable building units (100,102,103), the building units being suitable for being assembled into different habitation or storage solutions without adding or removing building units.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in the apparatus is configured to assume a controlling role in response to a first determination and to assume a controlled role in response to a second determination.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in the apparatus at least participates in an ad-hoc network.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in the first determination is based at least partly on a place the apparatus has in a topology of the ad hoc network.

5. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in the first, second, or first and second determination is based on criteria comprising at least one of the following:

- an elapsed time,

- a preset time,

- a status of at least one device being controlled, and

- manual control.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in the criteria are received from an external system.

7. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in the apparatus in the controlling role is configured to check a network for the presence of controllable apparatuses periodically.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in the at least one memory contains an index of identification data of controllers interfaced with building units which can be controlled by the apparatus.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in the index is updated based on a first determination.

10. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-9, characterized in the apparatus in the controlling role is configured to establish control of controllable apparatuses without user intervention.

11. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-10, characterized in the building units are adapted to incarcerate humans.

12. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-11, characterized in the devices to be controlled comprise at least one of the following:

- lights,

- heating,

- ventilation,

- plumbing,

- toilets,

- air conditioning,

- cameras, - locks,

- microphones,

- speakers,

- doors, and

- windows.

13. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-12, characterized in the apparatus is comprised in one of the building units with which the apparatus is interfaced.

14. A method comprising :

- causing an apparatus at least to participate in controlling a plurality of devices interfaced with a plurality of building units, and

- interfacing with one of the building units,

characterized in that the building units the apparatus and devices are interfaced with are modular, reconfigurable and suitable for being assembled into different habitation or storage solutions without adding or removing building units.