WO2019186581A1

WO2019186581A1 - System for controlling plurality of devices and method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2019186581A1
Application number: PCT/IN2019/050242
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sourabh Alurkar; Chinmay Gangakhedkar; Mrunmayi ALURKAR; Bhushan MHATRE
Original assignee: Sourabh Alurkar; Chinmay Gangakhedkar; Alurkar Mrunmayi; Mhatre Bhushan
Priority date: 2018-03-27
Filing date: 2019-03-26
Publication date: 2019-10-03

Abstract

The present invention provides a system (100) and a method (200) to control a plurality of devices (D). The system (100) comprises a central processing unit (50), a communication device (80) configured with a user interface, a server (60) configured to route all commands to and from the communication device (80) and the central processing unit (50), at least one switch board (20) arranged in a secure wireless communication (40) with the central processing unit (50), the switch board (20) having a microcontroller and a Wi-Fi chip. The microcontroller controls the switch board (20) upon receiving command from the communication device (80). The plurality of switches connected to an input and output ports of the microcontroller to control the devices (D) connected to the switch board (20). The system (100) provides simple and cost effective home automation solution.

Description

SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING PLURALITY OF DEVICES AND METHOD THEREOF

Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to automation and more specifically, to a system and a method to control domestic and commercial electrical and non electrical devices. Background of the invention

Automation of devices at home and commercial spaces is growing day by day making people’s life easier and convenient. It has also proven to be efficient in the area of energy conservation and therefore cost savings, which is very much required for the present situation. Automation can find its application in every gadget that can be remotely controlled.

The prior art CN205178181U, reveals a household intelligent switch socket, comprising a smart multi-switch settings that can control the socket on each jack ON and OFF, with a wireless communication module for remote control. A thermal sensing module senses the socket heat for high temperature and the socket main switch is powered off and the protection is enabled. The current monitoring device is used to detect for excessive current and automatically disconnects the switch. Flere the intelligent switch socket integrated to main switch uses sensors and other monitoring device information to control the working process of the equipment.

The prior art CN205910514U, reveals about Raspberry Pi based smart home multi network system. Where, Raspberry Pi acts as the master system, an USB camera connected to ZigBee module controls communication with the sensors and to control the work of the sensor system. The positioning system provided, coordinates the GPRS module and GPS module communication with each other by using the control system. Here GPS module collects location information of the owner, through which the master control system makes intelligent home control depending on whether the owner is at home or out of the home. In this case the user is not aware of the status of home appliances.

In the prior arts discussed above and in existing systems, for automation of lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and other appliances at domestic and commercial level, one requires a controlling system that controls the power to these systems. Most of the automation solution systems consist of a wireless or motion sensors integrated to each of these equipment power outlets, electronic locks, and also devices such as security sensors which have only two states, open and closed. These wireless and motion sensor switches available in markets are expensive. In today’s home or commercial automation solutions, one has to buy these expensive wireless switches or motion sensors to automate home.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a system and method to control domestic and commercial electrical devices using IoT, which would be an alternate to above options and overcome above-mentioned drawbacks.

Objects of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a cost effective system and a method for controlling a plurality of electrical devices at home and commercial spaces using IoT (Internet of things).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wireless switch board for home automation solution.

Summary of the invention Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a system for controlling a plurality of devices. The system comprises a central processing unit, at least one switch board, a wireless area network, a secure wireless area network, a server, a storage unit and a communication device.

The central processing unit provides the secure wireless network to communicate with the switch board using a unique identifier over internet through secured gateways and encryptions.

The switch board is arranged in the secure wireless communication with the central processing unit and the switch board. The switch board comprises a microcontroller and a Wi-Fi chip. The microcontroller controls the switch board upon receiving command from the communication device. Each switch of the switch board is connected to an input and output ports of the microcontroller to control the devices. The Wi-Fi chip is connected to the microcontroller via serial communication coupled to the secure wireless network to control the devices using the switch board.

The server is configured to route all commands to and from the communication device and the central processing unit. The server is connected to a storage unit. The storage unit is a database having logging usage, authenticating users, maintaining home configurations and current devices state information. The server assigns namespace to the multiple devices (D) using a unique identifier and stored in a storage unit (61).

The communication device configured with an application to control the devices. The communication device uses artificial intelligence to track usage pattern and to predict future usage.

In another aspect, the present invention provides the method for controlling the devices. The method involves installing an application and registering a user in the application for establishing primary connection for a first time user. An authorized user logging in the system using a login credential to access the application configured on the communication device. The authorization of the user can be done by synching of a secret code from the central processing unit with the communication device and by sending a one-time password (OTP) via short message service (SMS), email and any other notifying way known in the art.

After successful registration and logging in the system, the user has an access to control the required device by selecting the device from the list of devices appeared in the application and sending request from the application via a cloud messaging devices to the server. The server sends a command to the central processing unit via a wireless local area network. The central processing unit stores real time information of a switch state in the microcontroller memory. Further, the command is sent to the switch board wherein, the switch board shares the real time information of the switch state with the communication device via the Wi-Fi chip and the cloud messaging upon receiving the messages from the devices, the user controls the devices based on the real time information received on the communication device.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows the, detailed block diagram of the system for controlling the devices (D), in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the, detailed method to control the devices (D) of the system, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a system for controlling devices using a switch board and IoT. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling the devices using a switch board and IoT. The switch board can be an automated switch board or wireless network enabled switch board. The present invention helps to reduce the cost by eliminating the need of sensors.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description and as well as in following table.

Table

Now, referring to figure 1, a block diagram of a system (100) for controlling a plurality of devices (D) in accordance with the present invention is disclosed (hereinafter referred as the system (100)). The system (100) comprises a central processing unit (50), at least one switch board (20), a wireless area network (30), a secure wireless network (40), a server (60), a storage unit (61), a cloud messaging (70) and a communication device (80).

The central controlling unit (50) is a single board computer. The central controlling unit (50) is connected to internet router by wired or wireless connection and communicates over internet and in turn with communication device (80) through secured gateways and encryptions. The central processing unit (50) stores the configuration information of all rooms (R) and individual switches in its memory for centralized control. In case of security camera integration, the live feed or information is shared over the application installed on the communication device (80) through the central controlling unit (50).

The central controlling unit (50) creates a secured wireless network (40) to communicate with the plurality of devices (D) connected to the switch board (20) in all rooms (R). Each switch board (20) has a unique identifier to communicate with the central controlling unit (50). The switch boards (20) are connected to the secure wireless network (40) which is created by the central controlling unit (50) for additional security.

The switch board (20) includes a microcontroller and a Wi-Fi chip to control the devices (D) and to communicate with communication device (80) respectively. The microcontroller controls the switch board (20) upon receiving command from the communication device (80). A plurality of switches is connected to input and output ports of the microcontroller to control the devices (D). The Wi-Fi chip is connected to the microcontroller via serial communication coupled to the secure wireless network to control the devices using the switch board (20). The Wi-Fi chip can be an ESP8266 chip. The ESP8266 chip is a low-cost Wi-Fi chip with full TCP/IP stack and microcontroller unit.

The microcontroller controls the switch board (20) when user is controlling the devices (D) from the application installed on the communication device (80) and when the user is controlling the switch board (20) manually, the microcontroller always stores current state of devices (D) (ON/OFF). The microcontroller stores the real time information of switch state (ON/OFF) and shares it with the application via the Wi-Fi chip, the central controlling unit (50) and the cloud messaging (70) whenever user is accessing the room devices, thus eliminating possibility of incorrect device status on the application. Each switch board (20) unit controls multiple devices (D). The input and output ports of the microcontroller is connected to the individual switches of the switch board (20) for control.

The microcontroller can operate other electrical and non-electrical devices (D) like air conditioner (to maintain temperature (UP/DOWN), smoke detector, digital locks, curtains or any other appliances.

Further, the present invention provides the server (60) which is connected to a storage unit (61) for logging usage, authenticating users, maintaining home configurations and current devices (D) state etc. The server (60) is a centralized place which runs service to route all commands to and from communication device (80) and central processing unit (50).

All kind of information such as user information, the devices (D) information and the user usage and device usage is stored in the storage unit (61) which is hosted on the server (60). The information is secured and it is accessible only to the authorized users. The communication device (80) provides the user an access of home automation application is shown in Figure 1. The user can switch ON or OFF the connected devices (D), set and control temperature for AC, digitally lock or unlock the door, turn ON or OFF timer based device, monitor the house from CCTV, provide an alert based on smoke detector and upon activation of door bell etc.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method (200) for controlling plurality of devices (D) at home and commercial spaces using IoT (Internet of Things). The method (200) is described in conjunction with the system (100) for controlling the plurality of devices (D).

Referring to figure 2, the method (200) to control the devices (D) placed in all rooms (R and Rl) of home (10) starts at step (205). If the user is a first time user then, the user installs the application on a communication device (80) at step (210). The application installed on the communication device (80) can be an android or iOS or windows application. Further, the user has to go through registration process where a secret code from a switch board (20) is synched with the device (D). The first registration is treated as primary connection and there on any subsequent registration is a 2 step security, one of which is sending an OTP (One Time Password) from the central processing unit (50). At step (220), an OTP is sent on the communication device (80) for additional security. The OTP can be sent via short message service (SMS), email and any other notifying way known in the art.

At step (230), the user selects the device from the list of devices (D) appeared in the application installed on the communication device (80) and sends a request from the application via the cloud messaging (70) to the server (60) in the step (240). The application makes use of the cloud messaging (70) service to send request or to get real time status of the devices (D). The application requires a network connectivity to send and receive request. The devices (D) can be electrical devices or non-electrical devices. At step (250), the server (60) sends command to a central processing unit (50) via a wireless local area network (30). In the next step (260), the central processing unit (50) selects the appropriate switch board (20) using a unique identifier. Each room (R) is having the switch board (20) with the unique identifier. Each switch board (20) having multiple switches to control the connected devices (D). The central processing unit (50) sends command to the appropriate switch board (20) in the step (270).

At step (280), the switch board (20) shares the real time information of the switch state (ON/OFF) with the communication device (80) via the Wi-Fi chip, the cloud messaging (70) and the central processing unit (50), upon receiving the messages from the devices (D). The communication device (80) sends data to the devices (D) using platform services and receives messages from devices on the same connection. The cloud messaging service handles all aspects of queuing of messages and delivery to user’s applications running on target devices (D). The voice assistance controls the devices (D) by voice command. Thus, the user controls the devices (D) based on the real time information received on the communication device (80) in the step (290). The method (200) ends at step (295).

The application installed on the communication device (80) also uses artificial intelligence to track usage pattern and to predict future usage. The application also provides alerts to the user on energy consumption.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the server (60) communicates with a central processing unit (50) and a communication device (80) via a wired internet connections (30).

In an exemplary embodiment, a central processing unit (50) is a Raspberry Pi. The raspberry pi unit is connected to internet router by wired or wireless connection. This connection is similar to connecting any smart device like phone or TV to Wi Fi. This connection is used by raspberry pi to communicate over internet and in turn with a communication or mobile devices through secured gateways and encryptions.

The Raspberry pi forms its own secured private wireless network (40) to communicate with switch board devices (20) in all the rooms. The each switch board (20) has a unique identifier to communicate with raspberry pi (50). The switch boards (20) are not connected with home Wi-Fi but instead connected to the private wireless network created by raspberry pi for additional security. The Raspberry pi (50) stores configurations of all the rooms (R, Rl) and individual switches in its memory for centralized control. In case of security camera integration, the live feed or information is shared over smartphone app via raspberry pi.

The central processing unit (50) mentioned aforesaid, is selected from any one of raspberry pi, orange pi or other.

The communication device referred aforesaid can be a smartphone, mobile phone, laptop, tablet, handheld communication device or any other electronic communication device and can be placed at any remote location (90).

The present system (100) provides following features of the application:

• Wireless ON/OFF of Lights, Fans, Devices

• Dimmer lights

• Smoke Detector

• Digital door entrance

• Automatic climate control, AC ON-OFF, Automatic control of Fan speeds

• Energy monitor • Timer based device controls (microwave, washing machine, bulbs, tube-lights, water-heater)

• Automated sprinklers/ motor pumps

• Security system integration on mobile app

• Automated switch to solar electricity

• Automated entrance door

• Automated society lighting

• Integrated security control and monitoring

• Automated water filtration units/ STP

• Mobile app with energy consumption alerts

• Automatic control of curtains

• Alert upon activation of door-bell

Advantages of the invention:

1. The system (100) provides a home automation with minimal changes to existing hardware setup in the existing and new homes.

2. The system (100) and method (200) provide an efficient energy management solution.

3. The system (100) and method (200) provide a cost effective home automation solution where expensive wireless switches or motion sensors are replaced by a single switch board to control the apphances at home.

4. The system (100) makes home installation easy in new homes as well as in existing homes.

5. This system (100) makes entire switch board wireless thus eliminating need of individual wireless switches or devices.

6. The system (100) provides an automation solution for office, shops and other commercial spaces.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A system (100) for controlling a plurality of devices (D), the system (100) comprising:

a central processing unit (50);

a communication device (80) configured with a user interface to control the devices (D);

a server (60) configured to route all commands to and from the communication device (80) and the central processing unit (50); and

at least one switch board (20) arranged in a secure wireless communication (40) with the central processing unit (50), the switch board (20) having,

• a Wi-Fi chip and

• a microcontroller;

wherein, the Wi-Fi chip is connected to the microcontroller via serial communication coupled to the secure wireless network (40) to communicate with the central processing unit (50);

wherein, the plurality of switches are connected to an input and output ports of the microcontroller and the microcontroller controls the devices (D) upon receiving command from the communication device (80);

2. The system (100) for controlling the plurality of devices (D) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the central processing unit (50) provides the secure wireless network (40) to communicate with the switch board (20) using a unique identifier.

3. The system (100) for controlling the plurality of devices (D), as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the central controlling unit (50) communicates over internet with the communication device (80) through secured gateways and encryptions.

4. The system (100) for controlling the plurality of devices (D), as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the server (60) is connected to a storage unit (61) for logging usage, authenticating users, maintaining home configurations and current devices (D) state.

5. The system (100) for controlling the plurality of devices (D), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication device (80) tracks usage pattern for predicting future usage.

6. The system (100) for controlling the plurality of devices (D), as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the central processing unit (50) is a single board computer.

7. The system (100) for controlling the plurality of devices (D) claimed in claim

1 wherein, the server (60) configured to the communication device (80) and the central processing unit (50) via any one of networks selected from wired and wireless network (30).

8. A method (200) for controlling a plurality of devices (D), the method (200) comprising the steps of:

installing an application on a communication device (80); registering a user on the application to establish a primary connection; synching of a code by sending a one-time password (OTP) to a registered communication device via short message service (SMS), email and any other notifying way known in the art;

selecting a device from the list of devices (D) listed in the application; sending request from the application via cloud messaging (70) to the server (60);

sending command to the central processing unit (50) by the server (60) via a wireless local area network (30);

storing real time information of a switch state in the microcontroller memory; selecting the appropriate switch board (20) by the central processing unit (50) using a unique identifier;

sending the command to the appropriate switch board (20) by the central processing unit (50) and the microcontroller;

wherein, the switch board (20) shares the real time information of the switch state with the communication device (80) via a Wi-Fi chip, the central processing unit (50) and the cloud messaging (70), upon receiving the messages from the devices (D)

wherein, the user controls the devices (D) based on the real time information received on the communication device (80).

9. The method (200) for controlling a plurality of devices (D) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the real time information of the switch state is ON state and OFF state information of the switch.

10. The method (200) for controlling a plurality of devices (D) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the device from the list of devices (D) listed in the application is selected by any one of ways including manual and voice command.