AU2022206540A1

AU2022206540A1 - Home automation system

Info

Publication number: AU2022206540A1
Application number: AU2022206540A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Virupaksha FUTANE
Original assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Current assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Priority date: 2021-01-11
Filing date: 2022-01-05
Publication date: 2023-08-17
Also published as: DE102021100300A1; CN116724537A; WO2022148760A1; EP4264888A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a home automation system comprising a plurality of terminals which communicate with one another via a mesh network, wherein the terminals are designed to perform home automation actions and/or to capture data needed for home automation. The system also comprises at least one connection device which is designed to communicate with the terminals via the mesh network. The system according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that the connection device is designed to communicate with an operating device via a direct point-to-point connection for the purpose of controlling home automation. The connection device is designed to allow communication preferably directly and/or without intermediate between the operating device and at least one terminal by virtue of the connection device forwarding data received from the operating device via the point-to-point connection to the corresponding terminal by means of the mesh network and/or forwarding data received from the corresponding terminal to the operating device by means of the point-to-point connection.

Description

HOME AUTOMATION SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a home automation system that comprises a plurality of end devices that communicate with one another via a mesh network. The end devices are configured to perform home automation actions and/or to collect data required for the home automation. The system further comprises a connection device that is configured to communicate with the end devices via the mesh network.

Home automation systems are generally known. In this area, the technology of ZigBee networks has become established, for example. So-called mesh networks (i.e. meshed networks) are created by ZigBee networks. One advantage of mesh networks is that basically any device in the mesh network can communicate with any other device by forwarding data across a plurality of devices until the data reach the target device.

In such home automation systems, it is, for example, possible to perform a control of light, blinds, shades, sun protection apparatus and the like. Home automation systems can also comprise sensors that, for example, detect wind speeds or light conditions in order to then e.g. open or close blinds accordingly.

To establish a data link with the mesh network for home automation, a so-called "bridge" is usually required since smartphones are not able to communicate via ZigBee, for example. The bridge e.g. receives data from a WLAN and generates commands for the home automation from the received data.

In this respect, it is disadvantageous for the user that the connection device must be purchased and maintained separately. Furthermore, the connection device has to be positioned at a point at which it can establish a good (radio) connection with the mesh network.

It is therefore the underlying object of the invention to specify a home automation system that is simpler in design and can be controlled with less effort.

This object is satisfied by a system in accordance with claim 1.

In accordance with the invention, provision is in particular made that the connection device is configured to communicate with an operating unit via a point to-point connection, preferably a direct point-to-point connection, for controlling the home automation. Furthermore, the connection device is configured to enable a communication, in particular a direct and/or immediate communication, of the operating unit with at least one end device in that the connection device forwards data received from the operating unit via the point-to-point connection to the corresponding end device by means of the mesh network and/or forwards data received from the corresponding end device to the operating unit by means of the point-to-point connection.

A conversion of data of the point-to-point connection (e.g. Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy, BLE) to the mesh network (e.g. ZigBee or the like) can therefore take place by the connection device. In this respect, the connection device can simultaneously be an end device, as stated below. In accordance with the invention, it is advantageous here that a direct connection e.g. with a cell phone of the operator is made possible by the point-to-point connection with the connection device, whereby the operator can then generally establish a Bluetooth/point-to point connection with any end device and can perform the control of the home automation. The advantage thus results for the user that the point-to-point connection can generally be established anywhere in the vicinity of an end device, whereby the communication with the mesh network is simplified. Furthermore, if the connection device is an end device, a usually necessary bridge can be saved, which contributes to a cost and material reduction.

It is furthermore of advantage for the point-to-point connection to be established with a conventional smartphone. In the operation of the home automation system, a point-to-point connection with the connection device can therefore e.g. be established by a smartphone/operating unit. In this respect, the connection device serves to forward data received from the operating unit to the mesh network (and vice versa) for controlling the home automation. For this purpose, as will be explained in more detail later, the connection device can convert and/or package the data received via the point-to-point connection such that a forwarding via the mesh network up to the respective end device is possible. The end device can then be correspondingly configured to correctly interpret the data received in this way and to take an appropriate action.

The system in accordance with the invention can also comprise the operating unit.

It is understood that all the connections mentioned herein are data links, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

A point-to-point connection in particular refers to a radio connection between exactly two devices, for example the connection device and the operating unit. With the point-to-point connection, preferably no further devices are interposed for forwarding data.

In the mesh network, on the other hand, the end devices can communicate with one or more other end devices (i.e. devices of the mesh network) by means of a radio connection in each case. If an end device detects that a data packet or that data are intended for another end device, the end device forwards the data. In the mesh network, each end device can be connected to preferably a plurality of other end devices. A so-called meshed network is hereby produced that enables every end device to communicate with every other end device of the mesh network by switching the remaining end devices.

A direct or immediate communication of the operating unit with an end device is in particular to be understood such that the communication for the operating unit and the end device is presented as if both devices were communicating directly or immediately (i.e. without the intermediate connection device and any other intermediate end devices).

Further embodiments of the invention can be seen from the description, from the drawings, and from the dependent claims.

In accordance with an embodiment, the connection device is an end device. As already indicated above, an end device can assume the function of the connection device. The connection device thus simultaneously functions as an end device and as a connection device.

That the connection device is an end device in particular means that the functionality of the connection device is fully integrated in the end device so that, for example, the functionality of the connection device is arranged in the same housing as the functionality of the end device. For example, a radio device of the end device can be configured both to communicate with the mesh network and to communicate via the point-to-point connection.

The end devices can preferably be actuators and/or sensors of the home automation, i.e., for example, switchable sockets, dimmers, light sources, temperature sensors and the like. A plurality of (e.g. more than 30% or 50% of the end devices) or even all of the end devices of the mesh network can preferably also be connection devices. If a plurality of end devices are configured as connection devices, the operating unit can always be connected to a connection device that is in each case located in the vicinity in order, for example, to be able to establish a connection with the mesh network in all the rooms of a house. A control of the home automation is hereby then possible at virtually any position within a house.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the connection device is configured to convert a data object received via the point-to-point connection into a data object for the mesh network or to package it into a data object for the mesh network. Alternatively or additionally, the connection device can be configured to convert a data object received via the mesh network into a data object for the point-to-point connection or to package it into a data object for the point-to-point connection. The conversion of a data object can take place in the application layer of the OSI layer model.

The above-mentioned data that are forwarded by the connection device can include data objects. These data objects can be modified accordingly during conversion or packaging in accordance with the respective protocol of the point-to point connection or of the mesh network. Typically, a header for the data can, for example, be adapted to the point-to-point connection or the mesh network. The header can preferably include an address of the end device for which the data are intended.

By packaging the data objects, a tunneling of the data received via the point-to point connection by the mesh network can, for example, be made possible ("Bluetooth Low Energy over ZigBee"). The end devices and the operating unit can each be configured to receive and to correctly process the respective data, i.e. to correctly interpret the tunneled data.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the connection device is configured, when forwarding data, to leave use data included in the data at least partly unchanged. This means that the use data are, for example, only provided with a different header and are then transferred from the point-to-point connection to the mesh network (or vice versa). This has the advantage that the end devices and the operating unit can work with the same use data, regardless of via which data link the use data are transmitted. The end devices and the operating unit can then be configured to process the respective use data. For example, an end device can infer from the use data that it should switch off a socket, activate an illumination, or perform another action. In addition to adding a header, the data required for a respective transmission protocol used can, for example, also be changed or added.

The data received, for example, via the point-to-point connection can thus be transmitted encapsulated via the mesh network. If data are forwarded from the mesh network to the point-to-point connection, the encapsulation in the connection device can be removed and the data can accordingly be forwarded to the operating unit.

In accordance with a further embodiment, as already mentioned above, the point to-point connection is a Bluetooth connection or a Bluetooth Low Energy connection. Furthermore, the mesh network can be a ZigBee network. However, other point-to-point connections or other mesh networks (e.g. Z-Wave) are also possible. Furthermore, the operating unit can be a smartphone or a tablet. Finally, the end device is preferably a light source, an electrical switch, a dimmer, or a sensor.

The operating unit can therefore preferably be a mobile device, with, for example, a direct Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection being established between the smartphone and the connection device.

A pairing between the connection device and the operating unit can be necessary to establish the Bluetooth connection. A pairing can in particular be performed between all the connection devices and the operating unit. It is also possible to put all the connection devices into a pairing mode by means of the mesh network, wherein the operating unit is then brought into the range of all the connection devices in each case (e.g. by moving the smartphone through the house), whereby a pairing with all the connection devices can be performed relatively quickly.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the connection device has a radio device, wherein the same radio device is used by the connection device for the point-to-point connection and the mesh network. The connection device can therefore have only exactly one radio device (e.g. a transceiver). Less space is hereby taken up in the connection device and the connection device can furthermore be manufactured more cost-effectively.

The radio device can be coupled to a computing device of the connection device via a data link. The computing device can, via the data link, obtain data received by means of the point-to-point connection and the mesh network. Furthermore, the computing device can perform the conversion or packaging of the data objects. The computing device can then, via the data link, transfer data to be transmitted to the wireless device and instruct the wireless device to transmit the data via the point-to-point connection or the mesh network. Finally, the computing device can simultaneously also monitor and control the operation of a connection device configured as an end device.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the radio device is configured to use the same antenna arrangement for the point-to-point connection and the mesh network. Accordingly, the radio device does not require different antenna arrangements for the point-to-point connection and the mesh network. This can also save space. The production effort can furthermore be reduced. Using the same antenna arrangement is, for example, easily possible for Bluetooth and ZigBee due to the same physical layer (phy) and the associated same or similar frequencies.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the radio device is configured to alternately transmit and/or receive data by means of a time slot method via the point-to-point connection and the mesh network. Thus, the radio device can be configured to perform a TDM (Time Division Multiplexing). The timing requirements of both the point-to-point connection and the mesh network can be satisfied by the time slot method. A radio device that enables such a time slot method for the point-to-point connection and for the mesh network is available, for example, in the ERF32 family from Silicon Labs.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of connection devices, wherein the system is configured to establish exactly one point-to-point connection between exactly one connection device and the operating unit. However, the end device or the connection device with which the point-to-point connection is established can change, for example, to consider a movement of the user. Here, when the user moves to another room, it is possible to switch to a new connection device. When switching, the operating unit can then briefly communicate with two connection devices via two point-to-point connections. Alternatively, the first point-to-point connection can first be completely dismantled before a further (new) point-to-point connection is established.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the operating unit is configured to process the data received from the end device and the end device is configured to process the data received from the operating unit. The end device and the operating unit are therefore set up to correctly process the data received from the respective counterpart. For this purpose, the software and/or firmware of the respective devices can be designed as adapted to one another. With the operating unit, the behavior of the end devices can be controlled via the data, i.e. a configuration and/or a modification of the end devices can be performed. Conversely, the end devices can be able to transmit status information, for example temperature measurement values or setting values, to the operating unit.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the operating unit is configured to establish a connection with a cloud service, wherein a further operating unit communicates with the cloud service, wherein data for controlling the end devices are received from the cloud service by means of the operating unit and are forwarded to the connection device via the point-to-point connection. The operating unit can therefore serve to establish a connection with the cloud service. For this purpose, the operating unit can establish a communication link with the cloud service in order e.g. to open a port in a firewall of the respective router of a household and thus to enable the communication with the cloud service. Via the further operating unit, a user can then communicate with the cloud service, for example while on the move, in particular via an internet connection. Due to the communication with the cloud service, it is then also possible to transmit data on the move/externally from the further operating unit to the cloud service, from the cloud service to the operating unit, and from the operating unit to the connection device again in order to enable a control of the home automation in this way. A user can therefore also close blinds or activate or deactivate an illumination while on the move, for example.

In short, when using the cloud service, data for home automation are exchanged between the connection device and the operating unit, between the operating unit and the cloud service, and between the cloud service and the further operating unit.

In accordance with a further embodiment, a control of the home automation comprises - a direct control of an end device, - an automation of the control of one or more end devices, - a readout of state values of an end device, and/or - a modification of software and/or firmware of an end device.

A direct control of an end device can, for example, comprise activating or deactivating a switchable socket, moving blinds, and the like. A direct control can therefore comprise activating or deactivating an actuator or reading a sensor.

The automation of the control of one or more end devices is to be understood such that predefined sequences take place at certain times and/or that other predetermined actions (such as activating the illumination) are performed based on predetermined events (e.g. lowering a blind). Such automation functions, also called "scenes", can be stored directly in the respective end devices of the home automation system. It is likewise possible to control automation functions via the cloud service. Thus, e.g. when leaving the house, the blinds can be closed and the lights dimmed. Leaving the house can preferably be detected by the further operating unit, e.g. based on the GPS position.

Furthermore, it is also possible to install, for example, newer software and/or firmware on the end devices directly with the operating unit in order e.g. to enable new functions in this way.

A further subject of the invention is a method for home automation in which - a plurality of end devices communicate with one another via a mesh network,

- the end devices perform home automation actions and/or collect data required for the home automation, - at least one connection device communicates with the end devices via the mesh network.

The method is characterized in that the connection device communicates with an operating unit via a point-to-point connection, preferably a direct point-to-point connection, for controlling the home automation and the connection device enables a communication, preferably a direct and/or immediate communication, of the operating unit with at least one end device in that the connection device forwards data received from the operating unit via the point-to-point connection to the corresponding end device by means of the mesh network and/or forwards data received from the corresponding end device to the operating unit by means of the point-to-point connection.

The statements made on the system in accordance with the invention apply accordingly to the method in accordance with the invention. This in particular applies to embodiments and advantages.

The invention will be described purely by way of example with reference to the drawings in the following. There are shown:

Fig. 1 schematically, components of a home automation system integrated in a house;

Fig. 2 connections by means of a mesh network and a point-to point connection between home automation end devices and an operating unit;

Fig. 3 schematically, the conversion of data received via a point-to point connection to a mesh network; and

Fig. 4 schematically, the control of a home automation system via a cloud service.

Fig. 1 shows a home automation system 10 arranged in a residential building 1. The system 10 enables two luminaires 12 and one blind 14 to be controlled. By means of a brightness sensor 16, brightness values can be acquired and used for the home automation.

Fig. 2 shows end devices 20 of the system 10 that can, for example, be configured as switches for the luminaires 12 or for the blind 14. Furthermore, one of the end devices 20 can also be configured as the brightness sensor 16. Each of the end devices 20 has a radio device for establishing a mesh network 22. Of the mesh network 22, the respective present radio connections between the end devices 20 are shown in Fig. 2. It can be seen that each end device 20 is connected to at least one other end device via the mesh network 22. However, there is no direct connection between all the end devices 20. By forwarding data via intermediate end devices 20, a communication among all the end devices 20 is possible, however.

Some of the end devices 20 are furthermore configured as a connection device 24. The connection devices 24 comprise a single radio device 26 that is configured to also establish a point-to-point connection 28 in addition to the connection with the mesh network 22.

The mesh network 22 is a ZigBee network, whereas the point-to-point connection 28 is a Bluetooth Low Energy connection.

The point-to-point connection 28 is established with an operating unit 30 configured as a smartphone.

An application (not shown) on the operating unit 30 can be used to control the home automation system 10, whereby the operating unit 30 transmits data comprising control commands via the point-to-point connection 28 to one of the radio devices 26 of the connection devices 24. A conversion of the received data then follows in the connection device 24 such that the data of the operating unit 30 are forwarded to the mesh network 22. The conversion of the received data takes place by a computing device, not shown, of the connection device 24.

In the mesh network 22, the data then reach the corresponding end device 20 for which the data are intended. The end device 20 interprets the data of the operating unit 30 and then performs a possibly required action. In the action, one of the luminaires 12 or the blind 14 can be activated, for example.

It is likewise, for example, possible that the brightness sensor 16 or the associated end device 20 transmits measured brightness values via the mesh network 22 to the operating unit 30. In this respect, the brightness values are transmitted via the mesh network 22 to the connection device 24 currently connected to the operating unit 30. In the connection device 24, the data of the brightness sensor 26 are forwarded via the point-to-point connection 28 to the operating unit 30 so that the operating unit 30 can then correctly display the current brightness, for example.

Fig. 3 now shows the application case that a control of the home automation from within the residential building 1 is desired. In Fig. 3, a connection device 24 is shown that has established a point-to-point connection 28 with the operating unit 30. The connection device 24 comprises a ZigBee communication stack 32. The ZigBee communication stack 32 is based on IEEE 802.15.4 and has an extension that enables a transmission of data of the point-to-point connection 28 via the mesh network 22 ("BLE over ZigBee").

Furthermore, the connection device 24 comprises a Bluetooth Low Energy communication stack 34 that enables a communication via Bluetooth Low Energy via the point-to-point connection 28.

If a user would also like to control the end devices 20 while on the move, a further device is required. For this purpose, Fig. 4 shows a cloud service 36 that is connected via an internet connection 38 both to the operating unit 30 and to a further operating unit 40 configured as a tablet. In this deployment scenario, the operating unit 30 opens a port for the connection with the cloud service 36. The operating unit 30 therefore acts as a gateway to the cloud service 36. The further control device 40 can then communicate with the cloud service 36 in order, for example, to transmit commands for the home automation system 10. These commands are transmitted as data first to the cloud service 36, from the cloud service 36 to the operating unit 30, and from the operating unit 30 by means of the point-to-point connection 28 to the connection device 24. In the connection device 24, as already described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, a forwarding then takes place to the end devices 20 by means of the mesh network 22. If a data transmission is to take place from an end device 20 to the further operating unit 40, the reverse path is followed.

It is therefore also possible to control the home automation system 10 while on the move, i.e. by the further operating unit 40.

The system 10 generally does not require a special bridge, but rather makes it possible to establish a Bluetooth connection with almost any end devices 20 configured as connection devices, using hardware that is usually already available.

The investments in the system 10 can thus be reduced. At the same time, more flexible application options for the system 10 result.

Reference numeral list

1 residential building 10 system 12 luminaire 14 blind 16 brightness sensor 20 end device 22 mesh network 24 connection device 26 radio device 28 point-to-point connection 30 operating unit 32 ZigBee communication stack 34 Bluetooth Low Energy communication stack 36 cloud service 38 internet connection 40 further operating unit

Claims

1. A home automation system (10) comprising - a plurality of end devices (20) that communicate with one another via a mesh network (22), wherein the end devices (20) are configured to perform home automation actions and/or to collect data required for the home automation, - at least one connection device (24) that is configured to communicate with the end devices (20) via the mesh network (22), characterized in that the connection device (24) is configured to communicate with an operating unit (30) via a direct point-to-point connection (28) for controlling the home automation, and the connection device (24) is configured to enable a communication, preferably a direct and/or immediate communication, of the operating unit (30) with at least one end device (20) in that the connection device (24) forwards data received from the operating unit (30) via the point-to-point connection (28) to the corresponding end device (20) by means of the mesh network (22) and/or forwards data received from the corresponding end device (20) to the operating unit (30) by means of the point-to-point connection (28).

2. A system (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connection device (24) is an end device (20).

3. A system (10) in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection device (24) is configured to convert a data object received via the point-to-point connection (28) into a data object for the mesh network (22) or to package it into a data object for the mesh network (22) and/or the connection device (24) is configured to convert a data object received via the mesh network (22) into a data object for the point-to-point connection (28) or to package it into a data object for the point-to-point connection (28).

4. A system (10) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection device (24) is configured, when forwarding data, to leave use data included in the data at least partly unchanged.

5. A system (10) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the point-to-point connection (28) is a Bluetooth connection or a Bluetooth Low Energy connection and/or wherein the mesh network (22) is a Zigbee network and/or wherein the operating unit (30) is a smartphone or a tablet and/or wherein the end device (20) is a light source, an electrical switch, a dimmer, or a sensor.

6. A system (10) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection device (24) has a radio device (26) and uses the same radio device (26) for the point-to-point connection (28) and the mesh network (22).

7. A system (10) in accordance with claim 6, wherein the radio device (26) is configured to use the same antenna arrangement for the point-to-point connection (28) and the mesh network (22).

8. A system (10) in accordance with claim 6 or 7, wherein the radio device (26) is configured to alternately transmit and/or receive data by means of a time slot method via the point-to-point connection (28) and the mesh network (22).

9. A system (10) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (10) comprises a plurality of connection devices (24), wherein the system (10) is configured to establish exactly one point-to-point connection (28) between exactly one connection device (24) and the operating unit (30).

10. A system (10) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating unit (30) is configured to process the data received from the end device (20) and the end device (20) is configured to process the data received from the operating unit (30).

11. A system (10) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating unit (30) is configured to establish a connection with a cloud service (36), wherein a further operating unit (40) communicates with the cloud service (36), wherein data for controlling the end devices (20) are received from the cloud service (36) by means of the operating unit (30) and are forwarded to the connection device (24) via the point-to-point connection (28).

12. A system (10) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein a control of the home automation comprises

- a direct control of an end device (20), - an automation of the control of one or more end devices (20), - a readout of state values of an end device (20), and/or - a modification of software and/or firmware of an end device (20).

13. A method for home automation in which - a plurality of end devices (20) communicate with one another via a mesh network (22), - the end devices (20) perform home automation actions and/or collect data required for the home automation, - at least one connection device (24) communicates with the end devices (20) via the mesh network (22), characterized in that the connection device (24) communicates with an operating unit (30) via a direct point-to-point connection (28) for controlling the home automation, and the connection device (24) enables a communication, preferably a direct and/or immediate communication, of the operating unit (30) with at least one end device (20) in that the connection device (24) forwards data received from the operating unit (30) via the point-to-point connection (28) to the corresponding end device (20) by means of the mesh network (22) and/or forwards data received from the corresponding end device (20) to the operating unit (30) by means of the point-to-point connection (28).