AU2019208160A1

AU2019208160A1 - A system for configuring a control device of a mesh network of connected devices

Info

Publication number: AU2019208160A1
Application number: AU2019208160A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jai Bentley; Simon Gerard; Jordan Tentori
Original assignee: Zimi Innovations Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Zimi Innovations Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-25
Filing date: 2019-07-23
Publication date: 2020-02-13
Also published as: AU2022100049A4

Abstract

Abstract A system for configuring a control device of a mesh network of connected devices, the system including: an administrator device configured to provision each of the connected devices in the mesh network by at least in part sending a network key to each of the connected devices in the mesh network and storing addresses of each of the connected devices, in association with the network key, in one or more configuration files on a memory of the administrator device; a server, in data communication with the administrator device and the control device, configured to receive and store the one or more configuration files from the administrator device on a memory of the server, wherein the control device is configured to request and receive the configuration file from the memory of the server and thereby control each of the connected devices of the mesh network by sending commands to the addresses of the connected devices over the mesh network.

Description

A system for configuring a control device of a mesh network of connected devices

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for configuring a control device of a mesh network of connected devices. In particular, but not exclusively, the system includes an administrator device configured to provision connected devices in a Bluetooth mesh network and then to store the configuration data on a server, and the control device being configured to receive the configuration data from the server to thereby control the connected devices of the Bluetooth mesh network.

Background of Invention [0002] Wireless communications systems configured in a mesh network topology are typically installed to provide network coverage to connected nodes over a large area, such as a floor of a commercial building. Further, a mesh network topology provides improved resilience to the network of nodes due to the lack of dependency on each one of the nodes.

[0003] One example of a mesh network is Bluetooth mesh network of connected nodes. Bluetooth is a Near Field Communication technology standard that enables nodes to be wirelessly connected to each other to communicate data. The Bluetooth communication standard may be Bluetooth Classic, which is typically used between paired devices to communicate data, such as audio data, between the devices. Alternatively, the Bluetooth communication standard may be Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), which is typically used to communicate low volumes of data at low power consumption. Typical Bluetooth LE devices include sensors, switches and home automation devices that may not have a display or user interface. Further, the Bluetooth LE transmission distance may be limited due to the reduced power requirements, and thus the Bluetooth LE devices are suited to being connected in a mesh network topology.

[0004] In a typical Bluetooth LE mesh network of wirelessly connected nodes, the nodes which are part of the mesh network can communicate with each other by

2019208160 23 Jul 2019 relaying messages to extend the individual range of each of the nodes. Electronic devices that have been configured to be part of a Bluetooth LE mesh network are called nodes and electronic devices that are yet to be configured to be part of a Bluetooth LE mesh network are called un-provisioned devices. To configure unprovisioned devices into nodes, the provisioning procedure involves exchanging security keys between an administrator device (also known as a provisioner device) typically a smartphone or tablet implementing a provisioning application - and the unprovisioned device. This procedure is time consuming and prone to errors as, for instance, configuration information of the mesh network may be stored on many provisioner devices in various copies and iterations.

[0005] Further, in say an existing home automation example of a mesh network of Bluetooth LE devices, there is typically more than one user of the mesh network in the home so to configure the mesh network using the above configuration process may result in configuration parameters and operation schedules being corrupted and affecting users’ connectivity to the mesh network.

Summary of Invention [0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for configuring a control device of a mesh network of connected devices, the system including: an administrator device configured to provision each of the connected devices in the mesh network by at least in part sending a network key to each of the connected devices in the mesh network and storing addresses of each of the connected devices, in association with the network key, in one or more configuration files on a memory of the administrator device; a server, in data communication with the administrator device and the control device, configured to receive and store the one or more configuration files from the administrator device on a memory of the server, wherein the control device is configured to request and receive the configuration file from the memory of the server and thereby control each of the connected devices of the mesh network by sending commands to the addresses of the connected devices over the mesh network.

[0007] Preferably, the mesh network is a Bluetooth mesh network of connected devices which communicate data via the Bluetooth LE communication standard. For

2019208160 23 Jul 2019 example, the devices communicate data via Bluetooth 4.2 or 5.0 and are called nodes once they are configured to be part of a Bluetooth LE mesh network as mentioned above. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other wireless communication standards may also be used to provide the mesh network of connected devices, and that reference to devices may describe nodes in a Bluetooth LE mesh network and un-provisioned devices.

[0008] Also, preferably, the mesh network is a home automation mesh network of Bluetooth LE devices. In one embodiment, the connected devices include, but are not limited to: general power socket outlets; light switches; fan controls; sensors (e.g. light or motion sensor); and lighting power socket outlets. In this embodiment, electrical appliances, such as fridges, fans, lights, etc. are electrically connected to the sockets, switches, etc. and are thus controlled by the control device. In another embodiment, the appliances themselves, such as the fridges, fans, lights etc., have Bluetooth LE connectivity and are directly controlled by the control device in the above manner.

[0009] As mentioned, before provisioning the connected devices, they are initially un-provisioned devices and are configured to be provisioned to be part of the mesh network by exchanging security keys between the administrator device, which is typically a smartphone or tablet implementing a provisioning application, and the unprovisioned devices. One of these security keys is the network key, and all the connected devices in the mesh network receive and store the network key. Also, all the connected devices have addresses so that the control device can control each of the connected devices by sending commands to the addresses of the connected devices over the mesh network.

[0010] The Bluetooth LE communication standard defines different types of addresses such a unicast address and a group address. A connected device may have multiple components called elements that can be independently controlled by their respective unicast addresses. For example, a device may be a lighting node having three LED lighting elements. Each of the elements has a unique unicast address so that it can be independently controlled by the control device sending commands over the mesh network. In this example, the unicast addresses are first stored, in association with the network key, in the one or more configuration files on

2019208160 23 Jul 2019 the memory of the administrator device and then on the memory of the server for later retrieval by the control device.

[0011] Also, the connected devices have a control protocol. Elements can exist in various states including ON and OFF, and have certain properties, such as a temperature value. For example, a light connected to a dimmer switch can be ON or OFF and have a selected brightness. The light is therefore controlled by the control device sending appropriate commands to the address of the dimmer switch of the light over the mesh network.

[0012] Preferably, to control the connected devices, the control device is configured to implement a control application. In respect of the above example, the control application is configured to generate and send the appropriate commands to the address of the dimmer switch of the light over the mesh network so the user of the control device can control the light. Also, the control device may be a smartphone or tablet that has a processor configured to communicate data with a memory to implement the control application.

[0013] Further details of configuring the control device are described in the copending provisional patent application to the same Applicant and with the same filing date titled “A system for configuring a control application of a mesh network of connected devices”, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

[0014] In an embodiment, the one or more configuration files include one or more of data indicative of: labels for each of the connected devices; groups of ones of the connected devices; and operation schedules of each of the connected devices and of the groups of ones of the connected devices. In an example, data indicative of a group address representing three lighting elements is stored on the configuration file along with a suitable label so that the user of the control application can use the application to say turn ON all of these lighting elements at the same time. These groups may also be first established by the administrator device using a control application implemented by the administrator device.

[0015] In an embodiment, the administrator device is configured to associate a mesh code with the one or more configuration files stored at the server. In use, the control device is provided with the mesh code and requests the one or more

2019208160 23 Jul 2019 configuration files stored at the server. The control device provides the mesh code to the server, and the server is configured to send the one or more configuration files to the control device in response to the mesh code matching. In an example, the control device is also provided with a hyperlink or a QR code to the one or more configuration files stored at the server.

[0016] In an embodiment, the system further includes a further control device in data communication with the server, and the control device sends an invite to the further control device to receive the one or more configuration files from the server. In an example, the invite sent by the control device is via email. In the example of a home automation mesh network, the control device may be used by a primary user of the home network and the further control device may be a secondary user with limited control options of the devices of the home network.

[0017] In an embodiment, the control device, the further control device, and the administrator device are configured to implement a control application to configure control ofthe connected devices. With reference to the above example of a home network, the control application implemented by the control device can be used by the primary user to control each ofthe connected devices in the home network and set the operation schedules ofthe connected devices in the home network. The secondary user, however, can only control some ofthe connected devices, as designated by the primary user, and cannot set the operation schedules ofthe connected devices in the home network.

[0018] In an embodiment, the administrator device is configured to no longer send commands to the addresses ofthe connected devices over the mesh network when the control device is configured to control the connected devices. That is, the administrator devices relinquish control ofthe connected devices after control ofthe network is transferred to the control device for improved security ofthe mesh network.

[0019] According to another aspect ofthe present invention there is provided a method of configuring a control device of a mesh network of connected devices, the method including: an administrator device provisioning each ofthe connected devices in the mesh network by at least in part sending a network key to each ofthe connected devices in the mesh network; the administrator device storing addresses of

2019208160 23 Jul 2019 each of the connected devices, in association with the network key, in one or more configuration files on a memory of the administrator device; the administrator device sending the configuration file to be stored on a memory of a server in data communication with the administrator device and the control device; and the control device requesting and receiving the configuration file from the memory of the server and thereby controlling each of the connected devices by sending commands to the addresses of the connected devices over the mesh network.

Brief Description of Drawings [0020] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 shows a system for configuring a control device of a mesh network of connected devices according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 shows a mesh network of connected devices according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 shows an application implemented on a control device of a mesh network of connected devices according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 shows an application implemented on a control device of a mesh network of connected devices according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 shows an application implemented on a control device of a mesh network of connected devices according to another embodiment of the present invention; and [0026] Figure 6 shows a flow chart of a method of configuring a control device of a mesh network of connected devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description [0027] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system 10 for configuring a control device 2 of a mesh network 11 of connected devices 12 14 16. In the

2019208160 23 Jul 2019 embodiment, the mesh network is a home automation Bluetooth LE mesh network of the type described above. The connected devices in the embodiment include a double general power outlet socket 12, a sensor 14 and a double switch 16. The double general power outlet socket 12, in addition to having Bluetooth LE connectivity, has ON/OFF push buttons, a power ON indicator, a colour changing user indicator, and a power usage sensing and is rated at 10A per socket. It will nonetheless be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that other properties of a general power outlet socket could be used with the mesh network 11.

[0028] The sensor 14 of the mesh network 11, also has Bluetooth LE connectivity, and has one or more of temperature, humidity and movement sensors therein, as well as a colour changing user indicator. The double switch 16, in addition to having Bluetooth LE connectivity, has ON/OFF push buttons, dimming controls for lighting (e.g. LED lighting), a colour changing user indicator, and is rated up to 400W. It will also be appreciated that other devices with other capabilities could be connected to the mesh network 11. For example, a fan control device, with Bluetooth LE connectivity and multiple speed fan control, timer and night modes, ON/OFF light control, and rated at 500W for a fan or a light could be connected to the mesh network 11.

[0029] Also, in the embodiment, the general power outlet 12 connects to a wireless router 15 so as to provide Internet connectivity to the mesh network 11. Such a wireless router can increase the mesh network 11 functionality and provide additional user interaction and tracking information to the control device 2. Other devices include a dimmer power socket, also with ON/OFF push button and dimming controls for lighting, and a colour changing user indicator, and indeed other types of devices such as electrical appliances mentioned above.

[0030] In respect of the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, however, the mesh network 11 is formed by the connected devices 12 14 16 to form a home automation installation as the electrical appliances are then electrically connected to the sockets 12, sensor 14 and switches 16 to be controlled by the control device 2. For example, in a typical home automation installation, a fridge is connected to the socket 12, a television is connected to the socket 12, and lighting for a room is connected to the switch 16. The sensor 14 may also be connected to the lighting so the lighting can

2019208160 23 Jul 2019 turn ON when say movement is detected. Figure 2 shows another exemplary embodiment of a mesh network 11 of connected devices installed on a floor of a workplace.

[0031] In both exemplary embodiments, to form the mesh network 11 the system 10 includes an administrator device 1 configured to provision each of the connected devices in the mesh network 11. With reference to Figure 1, the administrator device 1 is configured to send a network key to each of the connected devices 12 14 16 in the mesh network 11 via the Bluetooth LE communication standard. As mentioned, the administrator device 1 is typically a smartphone or tablet or other computing device configured to run an application to provision the connected devices 12 14 16 in the mesh network 11.

[0032] The administrator device 1 may also be configured to generate the network key. The administrator device 1 receives and stores the addresses of each of the connected devices 12 14 16 in association with the network key in one or more configuration files on a memory of the administrator device 1. For simplicity, the one or more configuration files will hereinafter simply be referred to as one configuration file. The administrator device 1 may also be configured to implement an application to control each of the connected devices 12 14 16 in the mesh network 11, as well as to designate labels and groups of the connected devices 12 14 16 and set the operation schedule of each of the connected devices 12 14 16. Data indicative of the labels, groups, and operation schedules is then stored in the configuration file.

[0033] The system 10 further includes a server 20 in data communication with the administrator device 1 over another network 18, such as the Internet, and is configured to receive and store the configuration file from the administrator device 1 on a memory of the server. It will also be appreciated that the server is a computing device with a memory and processor. Also, the control device 2 is in data communication with the server 20 over the Internet 18. The control device 2 is also a smartphone or tablet or some other computing device with a processor and a memory and is configured to implement an application to control each of the connected devices 12 14 16 in the mesh network 11 once it has received the configuration file.

2019208160 23 Jul 2019 [0034] The control device 2 is first configured to request the configuration file from the memory of the server 20 and once the configuration file is received and accessed by the application implemented by the control device 2, the control device 2 can thereby control the connected devices 12 14 16 of the mesh network 11 by sending commands to the addresses of the connected devices 12 14 16 over the mesh network 11. In the home automation network, the control device 2 can therefore control the electrical appliances electrically connected to the devices 12 14 16 of the mesh network 11 by sending commands to the respective addresses of the connected devices 12 14 16 over the mesh network 11. Further, to improve the security of the mesh network 11, the administrator device 1 is configured to no longer be able to send commands to the addresses of the connected devices 12 14 16 over the mesh network 11 after the control device 2 is configured to control the connected devices.

[0035] To further improve security, the administrator device 1 is configured to associate a mesh code with the configuration file stored at the server 20. The mesh code is then provided to the control device 2 in a secure manner and, the control device 2 provides the mesh code when requesting the configuration file from the server 20. Also, to obscure the address of the confirmation file, the control device is provided with a QR code or a hyperlink to the configuration file stored at the server 20. The server 20 is configured to determine if the provided mesh code matches the stored mesh code and then sends the configuration file to the control device 2 in response to the mesh codes matching.

[0036] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the system 10 further includes a further control device 3 in data communication with the server 20 via the Internet 18. As mentioned above, the further control device 3 may be used by a secondary home user of the home automation mesh network 11 and may have restricted access to control the devices 12 14 16. In any event, the further control device 3 is also configured implement an application to configure control of the connected devices12 14 16, such as a control application shown in Figure 3 which is mentioned in more detail below.

[0037] To configure the further control device 3 to have access to the mesh network 11 and to control devices in the mesh network 11, the control device 2 is

2019208160 23 Jul 2019 configured to send an invite via email via the Internet 18 to the further control device 3 to receive the configuration file from the server 20. The further control device 3 then receives and accesses the configuration file and implements the application in the same manner as the control device 2 so as to send commands to the addresses of the connected devices 12 14 16 to control the appliances connected thereto.

[0038] As mentioned, Figure 3 shows an example of a control application implemented on the control device 2 - or the administrator device 1 or the further control device 3 - of the mesh network 11. Specifically, Figure 3 shows an example of appliances electrically connected to ones of the connected devices 12 14 16 in the mesh network 11 to be controlled. For example, a user of the control device 2 can use this control application to turn ON and OFF lights connected to the switches 16, as well as to adjust their brightness. The user can also use this application to turn ON and OFF other appliances, including a television, pool pump, fridge, and a dishwasher, that are connected to the power outlet sockets 12.

[0039] Figure 4 shows another example of an application implemented on the control device 2 of the mesh network 11. Again, this application could be implemented by the administrator device 1 or the further control device 3 of the mesh network 11. This application displays power consumption information of appliances connected to the power outlets 12 or switches 16 of the mesh network 11.

[0040] Figure 5 shows another example of an application implemented on the control device 2 of the mesh network 11. This application includes an operation schedule for appliances in a lounge room of the home mesh network 11. Here, a security system is provided for the lounge room with sensors 14 and holiday lights connected to switches 16 of the mesh network 11. For example, the lights located in the lounge room can be configured using the application to be turned on at 12:15pm each day while the occupants of the home are on holidays using the application implemented on the control device 2.

[0041] Referring now to Figure 6, there is shown a summary of a method 28 of configuring a control device of a mesh network of connected devices, the method including: an administrator device provisioning 30 each of the connected devices in the mesh network by at least in part sending a network key to each of the connected

2019208160 23 Jul 2019 devices in the mesh network; the administrator device storing 32 addresses of each of the connected devices, in association with the network key, in one or more configuration files on a memory of the administrator device; the administrator device sending 34 the configuration file to be stored on a memory of a server in data communication with the administrator device and the control device; and the control device requesting and receiving 36 the configuration file from the memory of the server and thereby controlling each of the connected devices by sending commands to the addresses of the connected devices over the mesh network.

[0042] Further aspects of the method 28 will be apparent from the above description of the system 10. A person skilled in the art will also appreciate that at least parts of the method 28 could be embodied in program code for implementation on a microprocessor of the administrator device 1, the server 20, and the control device 2. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, such as on a memory of the administrator device 1, server 20 and the control device 2, or transmitted via the Internet 18.

[0043] It will be understood that there may be other variations and modifications to the configurations described herein that are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0044] The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Claims

Claims:

1. A system for configuring a control device of a mesh network of connected devices, the system including:

an administrator device configured to provision each of the connected devices in the mesh network by at least in part sending a network key to each of the connected devices in the mesh network and storing addresses of each of the connected devices, in association with the network key, in one or more configuration files on a memory of the administrator device;

a server, in data communication with the administrator device and the control device, configured to receive and store the one or more configuration files from the administrator device on a memory of the server, wherein the control device is configured to request and receive the configuration file from the memory of the server and thereby control each of the connected devices of the mesh network by sending commands to the addresses of the connected devices over the mesh network.
2. A system of claim 1, wherein the administrator device is configured to associate a mesh code with the configuration file stored at the server.
3. A system of claim 2, wherein the control device, being provided with the mesh code, requests the one or more configuration files stored at the server and is configured to provide the mesh code to the server, and wherein the server is configured to send the one or more configuration files to the control device in response to the mesh code matching.
4. A system of claim 3, wherein the control device is provided with a hyperlink to the one or more configuration files stored at the server.
5. A system of claim 3, wherein the control device is provided with a QR code to the one or more configuration files stored at the server.
6. A system of any one of claims 1 to 5, further including a further control device in data communication with the server, wherein the control device is configured to

2019208160 23 Jul 2019 send an invite to the further control device to receive the one or more configuration files from the server.
7. A system of claim 6, wherein the invite by the control device is sent via email.
8. A system of claim 6 or 7, wherein the control device, the further control device, and the administrator device are configured to implement a control application to configure control of the connected devices.
9. A system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the one or more configuration files include one or more of data indicative of: labels for each of the connected devices; groups of ones of the connected devices; and operation schedules of each of the connected devices and of the groups of ones of the connected devices.
10. A system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the administrator device is configured to no longer send commands to the addresses of the connected devices over the mesh network when the control device is configured to control the connected devices.
11. A system of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the connected devices include one or more of: general power socket outlets; light switches; fan controls; sensors; and lighting power socket outlets.
12. A method of configuring a control device of a mesh network of connected devices, the method including:

an administrator device provisioning each of the connected devices in the mesh network by at least in part sending a network key to each of the connected devices in the mesh network;

the administrator device storing addresses of each of the connected devices, in association with the network key, in one or more configuration files on a memory of the administrator device;

the administrator device sending the configuration file to be stored on a memory of a server in data communication with the administrator device and the control device; and the control device requesting and receiving the configuration file from the memory of the server and thereby controlling each of the connected devices by

2019208160 23 Jul 2019 sending commands to the addresses of the connected devices over the mesh network.
13. A method of claim 12, further including the administrator device associating a mesh code with the one or more configuration files stored at the server.
14. A method of claim 13, further including the control device, being provided with the mesh code, requesting the one or more configuration files stored at the server and providing the mesh code to the server, the server then sending the one or more configuration files to the control device in response to the mesh code matching.
15. A method of claim 14, further including providing the control device with a hyperlink to the one or more configuration files stored at the server.
16. A method of claim 14, further including providing the control device with a QR code to the one or more configuration files stored at the server.
17. A method of any one of claims 12 to 16, further including the control device sending an invite to a further control device, in data communication with the server, to receive the one or more configuration files from the server.
18. A method of claim 17, further including the control device sending the invite via email.
19. A method of any one of claims 12 to 18, further including the control device, the further control device, and the administrator device implementing a control application to configure control of the connected devices.
20. A method of any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the one or more configuration files include one or more of: labels for each of the connected devices; groups of ones of the connected devices; and operation schedules of each of the connected devices and of the groups of ones of the connected devices.
21. A method of any one of claims 12 to 20, further including the administrator device no longer sending commands to the addresses of the connected devices over the mesh network when the control device is configured to control the connected devices.

2019208160 23 Jul 2019
22. A method of any one of claims 12 to 21, wherein the connected devices include one or more of: general power socket outlets; light switches; fan controls; sensors; and lighting power socket outlets.