WO2019216784A1

WO2019216784A1 - Method and system for integrating equipment into automated control and monitoring means

Info

Publication number: WO2019216784A1
Application number: PCT/RU2018/000306
Authority: WO
Inventors: Екатерина Вадимовна ОСНОВИНА
Original assignee: Общество С Ограниченной Ответственностью "Бонго"
Priority date: 2018-05-08
Filing date: 2018-05-15
Publication date: 2019-11-14
Also published as: RU2689436C1

Abstract

The group of inventions relates to the field of control of diverse equipment of automation systems, smart houses, musical and audiovisual systems, data and resource monitoring servers, and in particular to a method and a system for integrating equipment into automated control and monitoring means. The technical effect is to raise the effectiveness of controlling connected devices with any type of protocol by raising the information transmission and processing speed. To help achieve this result, a method has been developed for integrating equipment into automated control and monitoring means, and comprises the steps of: transmitting to a driver data regarding at least one controllable variable of controllable equipment, and a set of properties of said variable which characterise the type of controllable equipment; determining, by means of the driver, a list of accessible driver inputs and outputs for the at least one variable of the controllable equipment and the type of application program interface (API) for controlling said variable according to the type of controllable equipment; transmitting the list of accessible driver inputs and outputs for the at least one variable of the controllable equipment and the data about the type of API to an application programming interface (API) database, in which each input and output is assigned location properties on the basis of the placement of controllable equipment and API properties on the basis of the API type; storing in the API database information from the received list of inputs and outputs of the driver and about the location properties and API properties.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM OF EQUIPMENT INTEGRATION IN MEANS

AUTOMATED MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The group of inventions relates to the field of control of various equipment of automation systems, Smart Home, music and audio-video systems, data and resource accounting servers, and in particular, to a method and system for integrating equipment into automated control and accounting tools.

BACKGROUND

There are many solutions in this technical field, the key task of which is to ensure the compatibility of heterogeneous equipment inside the Smart Home system (and similar systems) for centralized management. Within the program, developers use equipment classification methods and a set of requirements that ensure the compatibility of different equipment within a given software.

The closest analogue to the claimed solution is the solution described in document US2016170390 (A1), publ. 06/16/2016. This solution describes the management of devices connected to a control device, the control device including: a communicator configured to receive a service rule from the server, including a trigger condition and the device performing an action; and a controller configured to select one of the devices connected to the control device based on the adopted service rule, change the accepted service rule, and control the selected device using the modified service rule.

The disadvantages of the known solution are the need to make changes to the control system when connecting new equipment, increased requirements for computing resources and low speed when processing information and managing equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The claimed solution offers a way to integrate equipment into automated control and accounting tools, in which changes to the equipment are not required in order to manage this equipment from an automation system. Instead, only equipment support of any control standard will be required. The requirement “support of any management standard” potentially includes any automation system equipment, the control protocol of which is not proprietary.

The technical result is to increase the efficiency of managing connected devices with any type of protocol by increasing the speed of transmission and processing of information.

To ensure the achievement of this result, a method for integrating equipment into automated control and accounting tools has been developed, containing the steps in which: they send to the driver data about at least one variable of the controlled equipment that can be controlled and a set of its properties that characterize the type of controlled equipment; determining by the driver a list of available driver inputs and outputs for at least one variable of the controlled equipment and the type of application programming interface (API) for controlling said variable in accordance with the type of controlled equipment; send a list of available driver inputs and outputs for at least one variable of the controlled equipment and data about the type of API to the database of the application programming interface (API), in which each input and output is assigned location properties based on the location of the managed equipment and API properties based on the type API save the information of the received list of driver inputs and outputs, about the location properties and API properties in the API database.

A method for controlling equipment integrated into automated control and accounting tools has also been developed, which comprises the steps of: sending a command to control the equipment to the API database, as well as information about the type of controlled equipment and its location, the command containing the value of at least one variable managed equipment; determine the values of location properties and API properties based on information about the type of managed equipment and its location; determining at least one driver input based on the property values determined in the previous step and directing the value of at least one variable of the controlled equipment for controlling the equipment to said at least one input in accordance with said command; convert the value of at least one variable of the controlled equipment received at the driver input in accordance with the type of controlled equipment and in accordance with the protocol of the controlled equipment; direct the converted value of at least one variable to the controlled equipment for its control in accordance with the said command. In addition, an equipment management system has been developed comprising at least one server including an API database and at least one driver, the driver being configured to; receive data on at least one variable of controlled equipment that can be controlled, and a set of its properties characterizing the type of controlled equipment: determine the list of available inputs and outputs for at least one variable of controlled equipment and the type of API for controlling the variable in accordance with the type managed equipment; send a list of available driver inputs and outputs for at least one variable of controlled equipment and data about the type of API to the database of the application programming interface (API); at the same time, the API database is configured to assign location properties to each driver input and output based on the placement of managed equipment and API properties based on the type of API; and save the information of the received list of driver inputs and outputs, about location properties and API properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the essence of the invention, and to more clearly show how it can be implemented, hereinafter, reference will be made, only as an example, to the accompanying drawings, on which:

FIG. 1 - an example of a technical scheme of automated control and accounting tools.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the example of FIG. 1, automated control and accounting tools include an equipment management system 100 comprising at least one server 101 and a user interface 101. The server 101 is connected to at least one managed equipment 1 located in an automated control system 10, Smart Home, or Internet of Things ( 1oT). User Interface 101 includes software for demonstrating the user interface on mobile devices and PCs. The interface can control equipment 1 directly or through server 101.

The server 101 in turn contains at least one software driver and a database 120. The driver consists of a set of inputs and outputs 111 and may include a list of variables that are responsible for the operation of several separate (physical) devices - controlled equipment 1. Inputs and outputs of the driver 111 are combined into logical devices, each of which describes a given complete physical function devices, and the “device function” is not equal to the “physical device”. So, an air conditioner with a backlight, which is physically unified, will be presented as two logical devices - “air conditioning” and “light source”. This is the main principle of combining driver inputs and outputs into separate logical devices - the principle of driver classification by API (Smart API).

The introduction of logical devices that combine the inputs and outputs of the driver 111 into one device is a convention and is used only for the convenience of visual display. In the process of manual configuration, it allows you to quickly select the type and properties that are common to the device for all inputs and outputs. At the same time, each driver input and output stores a complete set of properties defined for it using the API. This feature is used when creating device selections for sending commands to them.

Each driver input and output 111 is classified using the following set of properties:

1. Type of device (Tour) - defines the exact purpose of the device and a list of commands that it can support, depending on it.

2. The type of command to execute (Command) - depends on the type of device. A device may support all or some of the commands available for a given type. Commands determine the available ways to control this device.

3. The list of returned data (T ag) - depends on the type of device. A device can return all, or some data, possible for a given type. Feedback tags define the set of data that can be obtained from it.

4. The method of placing the device (Placement) - the device is located indoors or outdoors (Outdoor, Indoor). It is specified only manually

5. Affiliation to a zone / room (Location) - a specific room or a dedicated zone affected by the device. It is specified only manually

6. Group membership - a method of arbitrary combination of devices that a user can use to create scripts that work with manual device selections. It is specified only manually

7. The level of access rights to other devices (Access) - a value from 0 to 10 that determines whether other UD devices will accept commands sent from this device using the API (if any). 0 - device cannot send commands to others. 1 ... 10 - the higher the value, the higher the access level. If two devices have the same access level, from 1 to 10, they can influence each other. By default, all devices have an access level of 0. It is changed manually when the control software is configured, the change is always confirmed by the user. The inputs and outputs 111 can be manually configured by the user in advance by the data input unit 112 in accordance with a set of predefined properties for the API. Information about the settings of the inputs and outputs 111 can also be transferred from the data input unit 112 to the database 120 for storage in the property storage unit 122. In particular, the user programs the inputs and outputs 111 of the driver, sets the list of available inputs and outputs of the driver for at least at least one variable of controlled equipment, a set of its properties characterizing the type of controlled equipment, and the type of API for controlling the variable in accordance with the type of controlled equipment. The type of API determines how commands received through requests from user interface 102 should be converted to bring them to the standard format the driver works with.

Also, the inputs and outputs 111 of the driver for controlling the variable of the controlled equipment 1 can be obtained by sending via the control unit 113 a data request for at least one controlled equipment 1 through the data conversion unit 114. The controlled equipment 1 is sent to the driver 110 in accordance with the request data on at least one variable of controlled equipment that can be controlled, and a set of its properties characterizing the type of controlled equipment, based on which driver 110 defines a list of available inputs and outputs for at least one variable of the controlled equipment 1 and the type of application programming interface (API) for controlling said variable in accordance with the type of controlled equipment.

To determine the mentioned lists of available inputs and outputs, the data obtained by request are converted by the data conversion unit 114 and supplied to the control unit 113. The control unit 113, in accordance with the algorithm laid down in it, for each variable of the controlled equipment 1, on the basis of the set of obtained properties, assigns the driver input transmitting control data (commands) to the managed device 1 and the driver output for receiving information from the managed device 1 and transmitting it, for example, to the database 1 20 API or to the user interface 102. Next, the control unit 113 forms a list of inputs and outputs, which includes all the assigned inputs and outputs, as well as a set of variables of controlled equipment that can be controlled and their properties, according to which the inputs and outputs were assigned . The generated list is sent to block 115 matching properties. Also, the property matching unit 115 receives information about the set of specified properties for the API from the data input unit 112. The property matching unit 115 compares the obtained properties of the managed equipment variables with the set of specified properties for the API and determines the type of API for controlling each managed equipment variable 1, i.e. e. in accordance with the type of controlled equipment. Next, the generated list of available driver inputs and outputs and data on the API type are transmitted to the API database 120, and the information on the inputs and outputs is stored in the storage unit 121. Information on the inputs and outputs and the type of API can also be entered by the user through the user interface 102 in case if the purpose of not all inputs and outputs has been determined or if they have not been configured in advance by the data input unit 112.

Each driver input and output received in the 120 API database goes to the server

101 also assigns location properties based on the placement of managed equipment 1 and API properties based on the API type. Accommodation properties may include information about the method of placement of the device and affiliation with the zone / room.

Information about the placement properties and API properties is sent to the server 101 from the user interface 102 and stored in the properties storage unit 122 in accordance with the stored information about the inputs and outputs in which they relate, for example, in the following form:

Additionally, information about the group membership and the level of access rights to the controlled equipment 1 for storing this information in the property storage unit 122 in a similar manner can be received from the user interface.

Thus, since each function of equipment 1 controlled by a variable is associated with the corresponding input and output of the driver, the exchange of information between the controlled equipment 1 and server 101 is accelerated, as well as integration equipment management 1 and its management, since it is not necessary to transfer the identifier of the managed equipment to the server and carry out additional actions to identify devices, as in the closest analogue. In this regard, the management efficiency of connected devices with any type of protocol is increased and the computational load on the server 101 is reduced.

As for the management of equipment, it can be carried out as follows.

Using the user interface 102, the user generates a command for controlling the equipment 1, which can be sent using the specified user interface button to the server 101. In addition, the user can define a script, for example, as in the closest analogue, or set a timer, according to which the command will be executed. A command for controlling equipment may be sent along with information about the type of controlled equipment 1, its location and the value of at least one variable of controlled equipment. In particular, the command may have the following form:

<SET>, <Type: Light, Location: Kitchen>, <Command: On>.

In this case, information about the type of equipment “Tour: Ligh” indicates that the team refers to the type of lighting equipment. Information about the type of equipment may also indicate that the command refers to the type of dimmers, type of relay, type of access control devices, type of audio players, etc.

Having received the command to manage equipment 1, the server 101 sends it to the API database 120 and, in accordance with the set of previously defined properties for the API stored in the API database 120 earlier, determines the values of the location properties and API properties based on information about the type of managed equipment and its location. The properties of the API, in addition to the type of commands, can also indicate ranges of commands, the sizes of which depend on the type of controlled equipment 1.

In accordance with the above example, the location properties will indicate that the device to be controlled is located in the kitchen, and the API properties for the type of lighting equipment will characterize:

- types of commands supported by controlled equipment: power on, power off, brightness values, color temperature values;

- the range of commands, where the binary range is set to turn the power on and off, and the percentage range is set for brightness and color temperature; - the minimum and maximum value of the controlled variable, where the values are 0 or

1 - for binary and values from 0 to 100 for percentage.

If the information on the type of equipment indicates that the controlled equipment 1 refers to equipment heating, ventilation and air conditioning, then the properties of the API can be:

- types of commands supported by controlled equipment: power on, power off, temperature mode (cooling, heating), fan speed, profile parameters;

- range of commands: binary, percentage, etc .;

- the minimum and maximum value of the controlled variable.

Then, the server 101 determines at least one input of the driver 110 by comparing the values of the location properties and API properties obtained above with the location properties and API properties assigned to the inputs of the driver 110, and sends to the inputs of the driver 110, the properties of which coincided at the stage of comparison, the value of at least one variable of controlled equipment 1 for controlling equipment in accordance with said command. In the particular case of the command above, the value of the variable will be the value “Op”, which will be directed to the driver inputs corresponding to the lighting equipment located in the kitchen. Thus, it is not necessary to determine all the devices in the kitchen related to the lighting equipment and to direct the value of "Op" to them. The value of "Op" will automatically be directed to the corresponding inputs of the driver 110.

The variable value received at the input of driver 110 is converted by the driver 110 according to the type of controlled equipment and in accordance with the protocol of controlled equipment 1. For example, if the protocol of controlled equipment 1, in particular lighting equipment, supports receiving commands in binary form, then the obtained value is “Op” is converted to the value “1” (accordingly, the value “OFF” is converted to “0”) If the driver received a brightness value in the range from 0 to 100, and the controlled equipment 1 works with brightness values in the range from 0 to 255, then, in accordance with the protocol and type of controlled equipment 1, the obtained brightness value in the range from 0 to 100 is converted in accordance with the protocol of controlled equipment 1, for example, is divided by 100 and multiplied by 255, leading to the integer number, to obtain a brightness value in the range from 0 to 255.

The converted value of at least one variable is then sent by the software driver to the managed equipment 1 for its control in accordance with the said command. Information about the status of managed equipment 1 and current parameters is supplied to the corresponding driver output and converted according to the set of specified properties for the API received from the data input unit 112. That is, for example, if the current brightness value of the controlled equipment 1 is set in the range from 0 to 255, and a set of specified properties for the API provides for brightness a range of values from 0 to 100, then the current brightness value is converted from a range from 0 to 255 to a range from 0 to 100. The current value is stored in database 120 and can be displayed on the user interface upon request (Nap Emer, the query: <GET>, <Type: Light,

Location: Kitchen>, <Tag: Power>) from the database, or directly from the managed device 1.

Thus, since each function of equipment 1, controlled by a variable, is associated with the corresponding input and output of the driver, the exchange of information between the controlled equipment 1 and server 101 is accelerated to control it, since it is not necessary to transfer the identifier of the controlled equipment to server 101 and perform additional actions to identify devices and their functions, as in the closest analogue. In this regard, the management efficiency of connected devices with any type of protocol is increased and the computational load on the server 101 is reduced, especially in cases where the command is designed to control multiple devices.

Also, the proposed solutions will provide the potential for equipment management, without making any changes to its software part, as well as obtaining detailed information about the purpose of the equipment and its capabilities. This will allow you to quickly and efficiently connect the control system to new equipment and use all its functions manually and automatically.

Claims

CLAIM

1. A method for integrating equipment into automated control and accounting tools, comprising the steps of:

send to the driver data about at least one variable of the controlled equipment that can be controlled, and a set of its properties characterizing the type of controlled equipment;

determining by the driver a list of available driver inputs and outputs for at least one variable of the controlled equipment and the type of application programming interface (API) for controlling said variable in accordance with the type of controlled equipment;

send a list of available driver inputs and outputs for at least one variable of the controlled equipment and data about the type of API to the database of the application programming interface (API), in which each input and output is assigned location properties based on the location of the managed equipment and API properties based on the type API

save the information of the received list of driver inputs and outputs, about the location properties and API properties in the API database.

2. A method for controlling equipment integrated into automated control and accounting tools, comprising the steps of:

send a command to control the equipment to the API database, as well as information about the type of controlled equipment and its location, the command containing the value of at least one variable of the controlled equipment; determine the values of location properties and API properties based on information about the type of managed equipment and its location;

determining at least one driver input based on the property values determined in the previous step and directing to the at least one input the value of at least one variable of the controlled equipment for controlling the equipment in accordance with said command;

convert the value of at least one variable of the controlled equipment received at the driver input in accordance with the type of controlled equipment and in accordance with the protocol of the controlled equipment;

direct the converted value of at least one variable to the controlled equipment for its control in accordance with the said command.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that information about the state of the controlled equipment from the driver to the user interface or to the API database is transmitted through the driver output.

4. A hardware management system comprising at least one server, including an API database and at least one driver, the driver being configured to:

receive data on at least one variable of controlled equipment that can be controlled, and a set of its properties characterizing the type of controlled equipment:

determine a list of available inputs and outputs for at least one variable of the controlled equipment and the type of API for controlling said variable in accordance with the type of controlled equipment; send a list of available driver inputs and outputs for at least one variable of controlled equipment and data about the type of API to the API database; at the same time, the API database is capable of assigning location properties to each driver input and output based on the placement of controlled equipment and API properties based on the API type and storing information of the resulting list of driver inputs and outputs, location properties and API properties.

5. The system according to p. 4, characterized in that the server is additionally configured to receive a command for controlling equipment from the user interface, as well as information about the type of controlled equipment and its location, the command containing the value of at least one variable of the controlled equipment;

determine the values of location properties and API properties based on information about the type of managed equipment and its location;

determine at least one driver input based on the property values determined in the previous step and send to the at least one input the value of at least one variable of the controlled equipment for controlling the equipment in accordance with the command, the driver being configured to convert the input value of at least one variable of controlled equipment in accordance with the type of controlled equipment and in accordance with the protocol of controlled equipment Ania;

send the converted value of at least one variable to the controlled equipment for its control in accordance with the said command.

6. The system according to p. 4, characterized in that the driver is additionally configured to receive at least one output information about the status of the managed equipment and send it to the user interface or to the database

API