DE102017121252B4 - System, method and radio module for presence detection in order to save energy - Google Patents

Abstract

System for presence detection, in particular for a room equipped with building automation for computer workstations, comprising: a computer, such as a desktop PC, a notebook or the like; and at least one radio detector for presence detection for a control device for building automation that has a bus interface to a Has control bus for actuators and a radio gateway for wireless sensors or transmitters; wherein the radio detector can wirelessly send sensor messages to the radio gateway, on the basis of which the operation of at least one actuator, in particular a lamp for a computer workstation, can be controlled by the control device via the control bus as required; wherein the computer has a software module for presence detection, and that on Computer, a radio adapter is provided for the radio gateway of the control device, the software module monitoring user inputs on the computer, and where the software module interacts with the radio adapter and with this forms the at least one radio detector for presence detection in order to send sensor messages to the control device depending on the monitored user inputs , characterized in that the software module reads out information from the radio adapter, in particular its identifier, and uses this to generate a software key for authorization purposes.

Description

The invention relates generally to the field of building automation, also called building management or BMS (Building Management System) or BAC (Building Automation and Control). The invention relates in detail to the principle of a presence detector for saving energy in the absence of the user (s), in particular for saving energy at computer workstations. The invention is i.a. Can be used to control the lighting as required.

Movement detectors and presence detectors (with sensors that are more sensitive to movement detectors) are already widely used in building automation as sensors for presence detection. 4th shows an example from the prospectus entitled “Focus on the future. The EnOcean standard for sustainable buildings. ”From EnOcean GmbH, D-82041 Oberhaching. Here a control device ( 1 ) provided with a bus interface on a wired control bus ( 2 ), e.g. a KNX bus, for controlling actuators for building automation, such as lights ( 3 ), Actuators ( 4th ) for air conditioning or shading blinds or the like. The control device ( 1 ) has a wireless gateway in the particularly energy-saving EnOcean solution ( 7th ) for wireless sensors or actuators for building automation, such as buttons ( 5 ) and a motion detector ( 6th ) or the like. In the example below 4th is schematically a radio presence detector as a sensor ( 6th ) for ceiling mounting for the purpose of presence detection. The radio presence detector ( 6th ) sends sensor messages to the wireless gateway according to the EnOcean specification ( 7th ) the control device ( 1 ) so that they can operate at least one actuator, especially the lights ( 3 ) or the actuators ( 4th ) for heating, controls as required.

The well-known EnOcean system according to the above Example allows noticeable cost savings in terms of cabling and installation through the wireless connection of sensors or actuators, possibly also actuators, via radio. It is also specially designed for battery-free sensors with an energy harvesting function.

The installation effort for selective energy saving is high, even with radio technology, at least one cost-intensive presence detector is required per workstation. A further disadvantage of known solutions is that typical sensors, including presence detectors with high sensitivity, often do not offer sufficient accuracy for computer-intensive workplaces. User of a computer workstation, e.g. Software developers often do not produce sufficient changes in the thermal image for presence detectors. However, the proportion of computer-intensive jobs is increasing steadily.

Specifically for computer workstations is from the patent WO 94/16374 A1 an early approach to building automation is known. Here it is proposed to use an existing LAN computer network to connect additional sensors, for example brightness sensors, and to use the computing power of a workstation computer for control purposes. However, this proprietary solution with connection of at least one sensor per workstation also appears costly.

The patent is similar US 8,941,307 B1 an approach is known in which the LAN computer network is used to check the operating state of a workstation computer. In conclusion, the building technology, e.g. the lighting, should be controlled based on usage. The unique MAC address of the computer is used to assign actuators such as lights to specific workstations. This solution also has the disadvantage that the computer network must be integrated into the building automation or vice versa, so that both cannot be operated, maintained and, if necessary, renewed independently. Each time a new computer is purchased, the assignment in the building automation would also have to be updated.

An embodiment according to the preamble of claim 1 is from US 2006/0262086 A1 known.

A first object of the present invention is therefore to propose a solution for presence detection in order to save energy, in particular in a room for computer workstations equipped with building automation, which is more cost-effective to provide and operate compared to the prior art.

On the device side, this object is achieved by a system according to claim 1. Object a method according to claim 10, e.g. can be implemented using a radio module according to claim 13 or a data carrier according to claim 14 on any commercially available computer.

The invention initially uses existing building automation, in particular the existing control device with a bus interface to a wired control bus for controlling BAC actuators and with a radio gateway, for example according to the EnOcean protocol, to typical BAC sensors. Typical actuators are, for example, lights, actuators for air conditioning or shading or the like, and basically all actuators for the energy consumption of a building are relevant. Typical sensors are understood to mean all types of transmitters, including direct operating elements such as buttons, switches, temperature regulators, etc., but also actual sensors such as motion detectors, light sensors, temperature sensors, etc. The existing device is therefore suitable for at least one radio detector for presence detection, which can wirelessly send sensor messages to the radio gateway of the control device in order to control the operation of at least one actuator, in particular a lamp for a computer workstation, as required.

The system proposed according to the invention essentially consists on the one hand of a computer that executes a special software module for presence detection and on the other hand of a radio adapter for the radio gateway of the control device, the software module and radio adapter interacting. The radio adapter is provided on the computer and is preferably connected as a separate component, e.g. for retrofitting. Any commercially available computer, such as a stationary desktop PC or a workstation or a portable computer such as a notebook or the like., into consideration.

According to the invention, the software module can monitor normal user inputs on the computer, which are independent of the building automation or not intended for it, via at least one input device, and interact with the radio adapter to form or "emulate" a radio detector for presence detection. Thus, depending on the monitored user inputs, a sensor message can be sent to the control device as an indicator of a presence of the user.

A major advantage is that separate presence detectors or motion detectors no longer have to be installed for each workstation in order to achieve usage-dependent consumption optimization. This allows considerable savings, even in wireless technology, especially in open-plan offices with a large number of computer workstations. A computer-compatible radio module can be implemented as hardware much cheaper than e.g. a presence detector with high detection accuracy. Another advantage can be seen in the simplified user-friendliness, since the user can make settings or e.g. settings directly on his computer without additional effort in the computer network or in the building automation. can make the assignment to the desired luminaires.

The software module can easily be installed on the existing workstation computer, only the radio adapter may have to be retrofitted and, with suitable technology, e.g. As a USB peripheral device, it can be connected to the computer easily and self-installing.

In a preferred embodiment, the radio adapter for communication is in accordance with ISO / IEC 14543-3-1x, in particular in accordance with ISO / IEC 14543-3-10: 2012, i.e. executed for a corresponding radio gateway of the control device. This communication protocol for building automation is particularly energy-saving. It thus reduces, among other things Use of batteries in computers that are not powered by the mains, such as tablets or the like. Another suitable radio protocol is also conceivable, so the radio adapter can e.g. for communication in accordance with the KNX-RF specification, the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) specification, in particular Bluetooth mesh networking, or in accordance with the Zigbee specification, in particular Zigbee Home Automation. An embodiment for the combined or optional sending of sensor messages in accordance with different protocols lies within the scope of the invention.

The radio adapter can be designed as an external peripheral device for a desktop PC, notebook, tablet or the like. The radio adapter is particularly preferably connected as a USB module to a USB port of the workstation computer.

In an advantageous embodiment, the radio adapter has its own memory with a predetermined, unique, preferably one-to-one, identifier that can be transmitted with each sensor message. This allows in particular the user-dependent assignment to the desired actuators, e.g. in that the control device has a memory with an assignment of this identifier to at least one actuator. In general, the assignment of which sensor controls which actuator in systems for building automation is preferably stored on the control side or on a level higher than the radio gateway.

The proposed solution is therefore particularly advantageous for rooms with a large number of computer workstations, ie when several computers, each with a software module and their own radio adapter, interact with the control device for presence detection. In particular, the lighting, for example in the open-plan office, can be adapted as required by assigning a group with at least one light to each radio adapter and the control device controlling the groups defined in this way as required depending on user inputs on the respective computer. One advantage of the invention is that the computer can easily be exchanged, since the building automation is only coupled to the radio adapter. Flexible use is also conceivable, for example if a speaker is in a meeting room connects the wireless adapter to his portable computer and thus controls the lighting.

The unique identifier of each radio adapter can be read by the software module on the computer and used for authorization purposes, e.g. by the software module reading out the identifier and using this to generate a software key for authorization purposes. The identifier provided for addressing in the radio protocol or separately stored identification information can be used for this. The radio adapter can thus be used in the manner of a “dongle” and for this purpose has a preferably unchangeable ID or identifier that is clearly specified by the manufacturer.

With regard to building automation, the invention is compatible with any existing solution. In one embodiment, the bus interface of the control device is wired, in particular in accordance with KNX, DALI, LON and / or BACnet specifications, although completely radio-based room control is also conceivable. The control device typically consists of several components, including at least one electronic BAC / BMS control device for building automation, as well as a separate radio gateway connected to this, e.g. according to EnOcean specification.

In a further development of the invention, the radio adapter on the computer can also be suitable for configuring the control device and / or the radio gateway on the basis of special configuration messages and / or can implement further functions such as e.g. the function of a dimmer for user-dependent setting of the light level of the lighting based on the sensor messages. The protocol of the sensor messages can differ from the configuration messages.

• - Überwachen ob mindestens eine Benutzereingabe über ein Eingabegerät, wie Tastatur, Maus, Touchscreen oder dgl., am Rechner erfolgt;
• - Aktualisieren eines Anwesenheitszustands abhängig vom Ergebnis der Überwachung über eine vorbestimmte Zeitdauer;
• - Ansteuern des Funkadapters, um in Abhängigkeit des aktualisierten Anwesenheitszustands mittels des Funkadapters drahtlos eine Sensornachricht an das Funk-Gateway zu senden.

On the procedural side, the software module according to the invention is characterized by at least the following steps, which are implemented on the computer:

• - Monitoring whether at least one user input via an input device, such as keyboard, mouse, touchscreen or the like, is made on the computer;
• - Updating a presence status depending on the result of the monitoring over a predetermined period of time;
• - Controlling the radio adapter in order to wirelessly send a sensor message to the radio gateway by means of the radio adapter as a function of the updated presence status.

The sensor message sent by the radio adapter can contain status information or represent status information that is generated based on the presence status determined by the computer. This status information corresponds to that sent by conventional presence or motion detectors compatible with the control device. The other functions used for building automation, such as time functions, control processes or, in principle, the evaluation of the status information, preferably also take place in a manner known per se by the control device, as with conventional presence or motion detectors. Accordingly, the solution according to the invention can be used or retrofitted for building automation without changing the control device or existing technology.

• - eine Sensornachricht lediglich bei positivem Anwesenheitszustand sendet; oder
• -bei positivem Anwesenheitszustand eine Sensornachricht zum Einschalten und bei negativem Anwesenheitszustand eine Sensornachricht zum Abschalten sendet; und/oder
• - bei positivem Anwesenheitszustand eine Sensornachricht nur sendet, wenn eine Mindestdauer seit der jüngsten Sensornachricht vergangen ist, wobei die Mindestdauer insbesondere einstellbar ist.

With regard to the signaling of presence detection to the higher-level control device, there are different options; it can be provided that the radio adapter

• - Sends a sensor message only when there is a positive presence state; or
• - sends a sensor message to switch on in the event of a positive presence state and a sensor message to switch off in the event of a negative presence state; and or
• - in the case of a positive presence state, only sends a sensor message if a minimum period has passed since the most recent sensor message, the minimum period being adjustable in particular.

The software required for the software module can be implemented on any suitable computer-readable data carrier, including files that can be accessed via the Internet.

A particularly practical implementation can be achieved with a radio module for presence detection that includes a memory with the program code. The program code can be self-installing or self-executing, e.g. with a hardware driver, to run as a software module on a computer if the radio module is connected to the computer as an external peripheral device.

According to the invention, the software module thus interacts with the radio adapter in order to use it to form or implement a radio detector for presence detection that is partially “virtual” or implemented in software on the sensor side.

• 1: eine Prinzipansicht eines mit Gebäudeautomation ausgestatteten Raums für Rechnerarbeitsplätze, ausgerüstet mit einem System zur Anwesenheitserkennung zwecks Energieeinsparung im Sinne der Erfindung;
• 2: eine schematisches Flussbild eines
• rechnergestützten Verfahrens zur Anwesenheitserkennung für Rechnerarbeitsplätze zwecks Anwendung in der Gebäudeautomation;
• 3A-3B: zwei Alternativen zur Realisierung eines Funkadapters für das System nach 1; und
• 4 (Stand der Technik): eine schematische Draufsicht eines mit Gebäudeautomation ausgestatteten Raums umfassend einen Funkpräsenzmelder an sich bekannter Bauart.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention emerge - without restricting the generality of the above teaching - from the following detailed description of a preferred exemplary embodiment on the basis of the accompanying figures. These show in a schematic representation:

• 1 : a schematic view of a room equipped with building automation for computer workstations, equipped with a system for presence detection for the purpose of saving energy within the meaning of the invention;
• 2 : a schematic flow diagram of a
• Computer-aided method for presence detection for computer workstations for the purpose of building automation;
• 3A-3B : two alternatives for the implementation of a radio adapter for the system according to 1 ; and
• 4th (State of the art): a schematic top view of a room equipped with building automation and comprising a radio presence detector of a type known per se.

In the embodiment according to 1 a system for building automation is shown, which is largely made up of system components known per se according to the principle 4th consists. The components such as control device 1 , comprising a control unit 9 eg for the 2 KNX bus and a direct control 8th that the radio gateway 7th are superordinate, have known construction and functionality. Suitable encoders for this, such as buttons 5 , and actuators such as lights 3 , are known per se.

According to the invention, the conventional radio movement or radio presence detector 6th out 4th replaced by a new type of presence detection system. This essentially consists of a software module 12 ( 2 ) on an existing workstation 10 is implemented, and a radio module 14th which to the computer 10 connected and preferably designed for radio communication according to ISO / IEC 14543-3-10: 2012, compatible with a corresponding radio gateway 7th .

• s100 start;
• S200 check for mouse/keyboard.input
• S300 if mouse/keyboard.input -> S400, else -> S200
• S400 if t(lt) < t.var -> S500, else -> S200
• S500 read transmittermodule.id, check license.key
• S600 if transmitter.available and license.available -> S700, else -> S200
• S700 send.telegram; set t(lt)=time.now.

The software module 12 can be in any suitable programming language, for example object-oriented in Java or C ++ or the like, and for any common operating system on the computer 10 be realized. As an example, the software module 12 according to the following “pseudocode”, which is shown in the flow diagram of 2 can be realized:

• s100 start;
• S200 check for mouse / keyboard.input
• S300 if mouse / keyboard.input -> S400, else -> S200
• S400 if t (lt) <t.var -> S500, else -> S200
• S500 read transmittermodule.id, check license.key
• S600 if transmitter.available and license.available -> S700, else -> S200
• S700 send telegram; set t (lt) = time.now.

• -t.var : einstellbares Zeitintervall;
• -t(lt): Zeitstempel zu dem das letzte Telegram vom Funkadapter 14 gesendet wurde;
• -transmittermodule.id: Kennung des Funkadapters, die aus diesem ausgelesen wird;
• -license.key: Software-Lizenzschlüssel aus der Kennung generiert.

With the following adjustable variables or parameters:

• -t.var: adjustable time interval;
• -t (lt): time stamp at which the last telegram was sent by the radio adapter 14;
• -transmittermodule.id: identifier of the radio adapter, which is read from it;
• -license.key: Software license key generated from the ID.

• - Überwachen ob mindestens eine Benutzereingabe über ein Eingabegerät, wie Tastatur, Maus, Touchscreen oder dgl., am Rechner 10 erfolgt ist (S100 bis S300);
• - Aktualisieren eines Anwesenheitszustands abhängig vom Ergebnis der Überwachung über eine vorbestimmte Zeitdauer (S400);
• -Prüfen einer vorhandenen Softwarelizenz bzw. Nutzungsberechtigung (in S500-S600);
• - Ansteuern des Funkadapters 14, um in Abhängigkeit des aktualisierten Anwesenheitszustands mittels des Funkadapters 14 drahtlos eine Sensornachricht (Telegram) an das Funk-Gateway zu senden (S700).

The main program steps are:

• - Monitor whether at least one user input via an input device, such as keyboard, mouse, touchscreen or the like. On the computer 10 is done ( S100 to S300 );
• - Update of a presence status depending on the result of the monitoring over a predetermined period of time ( S400 );
• -Check an existing software license or usage authorization (in S500-S600 );
• - Control of the radio adapter 14th depending on the updated presence status using the radio adapter 14th to wirelessly send a sensor message (telegram) to the radio gateway ( S700 ).

Further functions, e.g. setting a dimming level for the lights 3 or the like, can easily be found in the software module 12 realize.

3A and 3B show two different embodiments. According to 3A is the radio adapter 14th as a separate USB module on the computer 10 is connected, a platform suitable for this is offered, for example, under the trade name “USB 300 (OEM)” from EnOcean GmbH, D-82041 Oberhaching. This particularly preferred embodiment with a separate radio adapter 14th makes retrofitting or installation much easier and is accessible from the computer 10 independently. An alternative shows 3B , here a in the computer 10 existing module, e.g. an internal peripheral device, as a radio module 14 ' used, such as a BLE interface or Zigbee interface or the like. Which are more and more common in portable devices.

In both variants according to 3A or 3B becomes the wireless adapter 14th or the radio module 14 ' from the software module 12 controlled so that the interaction for the building automation system or the control device 1 on the input side results in the same radio behavior as a conventional radio presence detector ( 4th ) or radio motion detectors are generated. On the output side, the behavior of the control device 1 done in a known manner. In other words, the proposed system from a software module 12 and a radio adapter 14th "Emulates" or simulates the function of a conventional radio presence detector. It is therefore inherently compatible with existing building automation technology.

Thus, for example, assigned lights 3 automatically switched on or off or dimmed if necessary, without the need for complex sensors to be installed separately and connected to the control device 1 must be connected. The invention can therefore be used in particular, but not exclusively, for energy-efficient light management.

List of reference symbols

• 1 u . 4th

  1

  Control device for building automation

  2

  KNX bus

  3

  lamp

  4th

  Actuator

  5

  Button

  6th

  Motion detector or radio presence detector (conventional)

  7th

  Radio gateway

  8th

  Direct control

  9

  Control unit

• 1-3

  10

  Workstation computer

  12th

  Software module

  14th

  Radio adapter (external)

  14 '

  Radio module (internal)

• 2

  S100 ... S700

  Program steps

Claims (14)

System for presence detection, in particular for a room equipped with building automation for computer workstations, comprising: a computer such as a desktop PC, a notebook or the like; and at least one radio detector for presence detection for a control device for building automation, which has a bus interface to a control bus for actuators and a radio gateway for wireless sensors or transmitters; wherein the radio detector can wirelessly send sensor messages to the radio gateway, on the basis of which the operation of at least one actuator, in particular a lamp for a computer workstation, can be controlled by the control device via the control bus as required; wherein the computer has a software module for presence detection, and that a radio adapter for the radio gateway of the control device is provided on the computer, the software module monitors user inputs on the computer, and the software module interacts with the radio adapter and with it the at least one radio detector for presence detection forms to send sensor messages to the control device depending on monitored user inputs, characterized in that the software module reads out information from the radio adapter, in particular its identifier, and uses this to generate a software key for authorization purposes. System for presence detection according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the radio gateway of the control device and the radio adapter on the computer for communication according to ISO / IEC 14543-3-1x, in particular according to ISO / IEC 14543-3-10: 2012, are implemented. System for presence detection according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the radio gateway of the control device and the radio adapter on the computer for communication according to specification KNX-RF, specification BLE, in particular Bluetooth mesh networking, or according to specification Zigbee, in particular Zigbee Home Automation, are designed. System for presence detection according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the radio adapter is designed as an external peripheral device for a desktop PC, notebook, tablet or the like, in particular is connected to the computer as a USB module. System for presence detection according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , especially after Claim 4 , characterized in that the radio adapter has a memory with a predetermined unique identifier which is transmitted with each sensor message. System for presence detection according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , especially after Claim 5 , characterized in that at least two computers each with a software module and their own radio adapter for presence detection cooperate with the control device. System for presence detection according to Claim 6 , wherein each radio adapter is assigned a group with at least one lamp and the control device controls the groups as required depending on user inputs on the respective computer. System for presence detection according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th , characterized in that the bus interface of the control device is wired, in particular according to KNX, DALI, LON and / or BACnet specification; and / or the control device has at least one electronic BAC / BMS control device for building automation and a radio gateway connected to it. System for presence detection according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , especially after Claim 4 , characterized in that the radio adapter on the computer is suitable for configuring the control device and / or the radio gateway on the basis of configuration messages. Computer-aided method for presence detection for building automation, in particular a room with computer workstations, with at least one computer, such as a desktop PC, notebook or the like, which has a radio adapter for a radio gateway of a control device for building automation, the computer comprising a software module , which carries out at least the following steps: Monitoring whether at least one user input is made on the computer via an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, touch screen or the like; Updating of a presence status depending on the result of the monitoring over a predetermined period of time; -Activating the radio adapter in order to wirelessly send a sensor message to the radio gateway by means of the radio adapter as a function of the updated presence state , characterized in that the software module reads out information from the radio adapter, in particular its identifier, and uses this to obtain a software key for authorization purposes generated. Procedure according to Claim 10 , wherein the radio adapter sends a sensor message with status information based on the presence status and preferably only sends a sensor message when the presence status is positive; and / or - in the case of a positive presence state, only sends a sensor message if a minimum period has passed since the most recent sensor message, the minimum period in particular being adjustable. Procedure according to Claim 10 or 11 , wherein the radio adapter is connected to the computer as an external peripheral device and has a memory with a unique identifier that is transmitted with each sensor message or in addition to the. Radio module for presence detection comprising a memory with program code, in particular with self-installing or self-executing program code, for executing a method according to one of the Claims 10 to 12 as a software module on a computer if the radio module is connected to the computer as an external peripheral device so that the software module can interact with the radio adapter and form a radio detector for presence detection with it. Computer-readable data carrier comprising program code which can be executed as a software module on a computer and thereby all process steps according to one of the Claims 10 to 12 implemented.

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