KR20010043617A - System and methods for object-oriented control of diverse electromechanical systems using a computer network - Google Patents

Abstract

The control system methodology uses object-oriented software to combine multiple control systems into a common object model. Object-oriented technology is used to build distributed Java-based applications in a multi-vendor open system environment for use in controlling and supervising systems of various sizes and configurations. The system provides both a browser client 101 (running in a Java capable browser) and a server client 121. The present invention has a plurality of stations, a web BAS browser 9110, a network processor (NP) 111, and a field controller (FC) 112. Preferably NP and FC are Java virtual machines implemented in a plug-in Java module environment. The information becomes a common object model, making it available throughout the system. Java-based custom programming languages are provided for object creation, and access to objects is controlled through a multilevel security protocol. Data flow is managed by a real time information synchronization manager.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR OBJECT-ORIENTED CONTROL OF DIVERSE ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS USING A COMPUTER NETWORK}

This application is directed to US Provisional Application No. 1, filed May 15, 1998. Claiming the advantages of 60 / 085,539, the entire specification is incorporated herein by reference.

Portions of this specification contain elements that the applicant claims. Applicant does not object to the copying of such elements in the course of making a copy of the application file or patenting the application, but all other rights are reserved in copyrighted elements.

In the past, control systems, such as building automation systems, were typically complex combinations of exclusive single manufacturer solutions or independent systems. Although industry efforts have been made to define standards so that these systems can be combined more efficiently, no truly regular method is available.

The announcement of the BACnet / LonMark ™ fieldbus communication standard for building automation systems is beginning to rethink building automation system architectures that could revolutionize control solution prospects. Conventional exclusive building automation architectures perform well, but are expensive to design and install, difficult to reconfigure, and often require a lot of software to combine standalone instrument services. In contrast, in a distributed BACnet / LonMark fieldbus architecture, logic processing is contained within an automated multi-vendor module that communicates with each other through standard software to cooperatively solve building control problems. However, in the known building automation architecture, the external interface characteristics of the device added to the control system must be entered into the database representation of the external interface characteristics of the device before the BAS can effectively control the new device.

Distributing control in this way is expected to minimize installation wiring, optimize control software, reduce operating and maintenance costs, and simplify system expansion. In today's free competition global marketplace, users are demanding efficient building control solutions in terms of availability, reusability and cost-effectiveness of fieldbuses to respond quickly to changes in instrument management services.

In other areas, however, progress has been made in computing that has not been fully applied to building automation systems. For example, computer system standards have been developed to simplify the cost and development needs of programming a system. Basic technologies include object-oriented software such as the Java ™ virtual machine (JVM) and JavaBeans ™.

Object-oriented programming is a software building block that matches the real world better than conventional programming mechanisms, providing a new way to model real world entities more directly. Just as microprocessors have impacted hardware design and functionality, this new software paradigm has a greater impact on software.

In object-oriented programming, an application program is created from an independent building block module (object). Whenever an application engineer creates a new program, he or she can borrow prebuilt application modules from the library rather than do it from scratch, and can simply install and use them. By using object libraries, developers can focus on connecting the right objects to each other and creating custom objects that the application needs. Again custom objects can be added to the library for later use.

In addition, networking standards were developed in an effort to simplify the cost and development requirements of assembling the system. Basic technologies developed in the building automation industry include the American Association of Air Conditioning and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Building and Control Network (BACnet ™) and the ECHELON LONTALK ™ protocol (developed by Echelon Corporation of Palo Alto, California, USA).

The computer industry, meanwhile, has sought to develop communication standards, but these standards have not been applied in a reasonably efficient way to the specific problems of building automation. For example, the purpose of the Internet / WWW / Java / CORBA standards is to provide users with the information they want without considering what kind of programs they use, what computers they run on, or what type of information they have.

Through a system of hypertext, users of the Web have been able to select and review information from around the world. However, the basic web lacks adequate interactivity, i.e. real-time, dynamic and visual conversations between users and applications. Java brings this lack of interactivity to the Web. Using Java-enabled web browsers, users can face animations and interactive applications.

Efforts to implement a real-time control system for the Internet have generally failed due to variations in packet transmission time and lack of guaranteed delivery over the Internet.

In conclusion, historically, control systems have basically been based on the exclusive technology of a single manufacturer. Efforts have been made to standardize these architectures, but they have only achieved limited success. The inventors have found a need for a highly integrated standard that combines a Java-based common object model adapted for use in building automation applications, particularly in the field of control systems, and provides centralized control and monitoring using communication network standards such as the Internet. I believe that

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for controlling and monitoring various systems using modular object-oriented control software that runs on a local controller associated with a control system and is centrally controlled, monitored and updated using a communications network such as the Internet. will be. These systems and methods are particularly useful for building automation system (BAS) applications.

1 is a preferred general architecture of an object-oriented control system including a client, a station, a foreign device and a remote host.

1A illustrates various types of stations in an object-oriented control system.

Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the configuration of the object-oriented control system in the form of a field controller system in which a client accesses a single field controller overseeing the LonMark ™ fieldbus.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the configuration of the object-oriented control system in the form of a small web BAS server system where a client accesses a single web BAS server overseeing the LonMark ™ fieldbus.

4 shows a preferred embodiment of the configuration of an object-oriented control system in the form of a two-level system in which a web BAS server directly supervises network processors, field controllers and BACnet devices.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the configuration of an object-oriented control system in the form of a three-level system in which a web BAS server supervises a network processor supervising a field controller.

6 shows an alternative embodiment of the configuration of an object-oriented control system in the form of a distributed system in which a large or small set of systems are connected and supervised via a remote host.

7 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of a continuous, real-time information synchronization manager for an object-oriented control system.

8 is an overview of the object class hierarchy of the object-oriented control system.

9 illustrates a communication between a station and a client in a preferred embodiment of an object-oriented control system.

10 further describes communication between a station and a client in a preferred embodiment of an object-oriented control system.

11 illustrates the architecture of a preferred embodiment of an object-oriented control system.

Accordingly, a general object of the present invention is to provide a system and method using object-oriented software that combines BACnet, LonMark, CORBA, Java and Internet systems into one common object model. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention uses object technology as a key to constructing a properly distributed application in a multi-vendor open system environment supporting multiple industry standards. The BACnet / LonMark / Internet / CORBA architecture is combined in the present invention and the Java object-oriented software concept is applied to implement distributed control and information management. Messages (events) are passed between automated modules that use object technology to contain both data and functionality. These functional objects are duplicated for reuse and grouped together to form more complex functions that build on the work of other objects. The navigation tools in the web BAS server provide an overview of the process being controlled by the automatic fieldbus module and provide an unrestricted flow of information.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a control system and method in which both predefined objects and user-defined objects exist in a single control system. Personalized programming languages are provided for modifying, creating, and managing objects. A predefined set of objects is also provided.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a control system and method for maintaining the integrity of system data in a distributed system and distributing the system data on demand over the distributed system through archiving and synchronization techniques. The master copy of each data is preferably kept in a single virtual machine, and a system with synchronous and asynchronous caches is used to ensure that objects of the control system currently access system data. System data is archived to provide persistence.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a control system and method in which object properties associated with a device are dynamically updated to reflect external interface properties of the device. To accomplish this, the devices of the control system are queried for their external interface properties and the associated object properties updated accordingly. This provides for the management of devices without requiring a specific external interface representation that is preprogrammed.

These and other objects of the present invention are apparent upon examination of the present specification, including appendices and drawings.

The preferred embodiment of the object-oriented control system 100 provides a solution for distributed control of systems of various sizes and configurations. Preferably, a general architecture is provided that includes a client 101, a station 102 (see FIG. 1A) and a foreign device 105 as shown in FIG. 1.

In the system, the client 101 includes a browser client 120 and a full client 121. Client 101 provides access to the system via the Internet or an intranet. The client 101 relies on the server software of the station to provide this access. Browser client 120 provides full user access to the system from an authorized Java-enabled browser. The pull client 121 provides an application enabler tool in addition to all the functions of the browser client 120.

Station 102 includes a web BAS server (WBS) 110, a network processor (NP) 111, and a field controller (FC) 112. Station 102 typically plays one or more of three roles.

1. Station 102 couples foreign device 108 to the system. WBS 110, NP 111 and FC 112 may play this role.

2. The station 102 oversees the other station 102. In this role, station 102 joins the station 102 overseeing the system. Supervision also includes such requirements as monitoring and routing. WBS 110 and NP 111 may play this role.

3. Station 102 may be the master of the local system. In this role, the station provides a continuous backup of all configuration information. WBS 110 and FC 112 may play this role.

In the role of the combiner, the station 102 brings the information to the object for the rest of the system to use in predictable behavior. In the supervisory role, station 102 includes supervising other stations 102, checking system integrity between stations, and routing data and event information.

When functioning as a master, station 102 is defined as the basic master of the system. The default master provides a backup of all configuration information.

Foreign device 105 includes devices compatible with the system, but is not directly controlled using downloadable Java-based objects. Two particular types of foreign devices 105 are BACnet ™ devices 123 and LonMark devices 122 that follow the industry widespread standards for such devices. Remote host 108 provides some functionality of the system at one site other than the site of the control system. The remote host 108 may be connected to the job by a communications link that supports TCP / IP including a serial modem.

Station 102 communicates as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The browser client 120 and the full client 121 communicate with the web BAS server 110, the network processor 111, and the control network 106 using the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) and Java remote method request (RMI). Communicate with a station 102 that includes a field controller 112. The web BAS server 110 and the field controller 112 further include an object database 150 for storing and accessing objects in the object-oriented control system 100.

The preferred architecture of the object-oriented control system 100 for various users is shown in FIG.

In order to allow distributed control system management of the LonMark ™ device 122, an external interface is required for the particular device type represented in the object properties associated with each LonMark ™ device 122. External interface information may include, for example, network variables available for a particular device type. In the past, a distributed control system may manage the LonMark ™ device 122 for changes to the external interface of each new LonMark ™ device 122 or LonMark ™ device 122 added to the system. The user first needed to program or enter external interface information into the object properties associated with the LonMark ™ device 122, so that the new or modified foreign device 105 could be controlled by the online and distributed control system. There was a delay. The object oriented control system 100 overcomes this limitation by providing a dynamic LonMark ™ device update of object properties associated with the LonMark ™ device 122 to reflect the device's external interface characteristics. To accomplish this, the object oriented control system 100 queries the LonMark ™ device 122 for their external interface characteristics. Next, valid object properties associated with the LonMark ™ device 122 that are inquiring are updated and configured according to the information received in response to the inquiring. Thus, this dynamic device external interface update function provides management of the LonMark ™ device 122 without requiring a particular external interface representation previously programmed by the user, thereby saving time and saving LonMark ™ device ( 122 The possibility of error in constructing object properties can be reduced.

Java virtual machine (JVM) in which the form of network processor 111 and field controller 112 of station 102 can be programmed using Java objects for specific control of a system attached to NP 111 or FC 112. Is preferred. Programming of such JVMs can be coordinated in real time by adding, deleting, or reconfiguring links between objects. Each object is preferably implemented using Java, corresponds to a particular control function, and can be linked to other objects using a predetermined set of links. For example, available objects include function generators, analog and digital inputs and outputs, multiphase outputs, alarm objects, available station service objects, and custom user programmable objects. Each of these objects may be combined in a preferred manner to create a virtual programmable controller for a device or devices connected to the associated JVM.

In a preferred embodiment, the predefined object coexists with the user defined object of the single object oriented control system 100. In order to facilitate object creation, it is desirable for a control application to provide a personalized programming language based on a personalized and simplified Java language. An individualized programming language is used to specify program instructions for the program nodes of the object-oriented control system 100. In addition, a programming editor is provided as a development tool for user programming of program nodes using individualized programming languages.

Throughout this specification and the appended appended hereto, the term “node” is used to refer to specific objects and their characteristics provided by the object-oriented control system 100. In a preferred embodiment of the object-oriented control system 100 it can be seen that the "node" is an object. The processing and functional operation of the node is determined by the associated associated property which is programmable. Most software applications, including the object-oriented control system 100, are provided in the form of nodes.

The object property set is provided by the object-oriented control system 100. A predefined set of objects is provided by the object oriented control system 100.

In addition, the object-oriented control system 100 provides calendars, schedules, and logs that enable the user to control the timing and behavior of commands and software applications of the system. Calendars allow details of the days that need to be addressed specifically with respect to system operation. Schedules allow program instructions to be executed at specific times. Logs are a set of nodes and services that collect system information in a buffer for sharing information across the object-oriented control system 100.

Logs are continuously stored in a database that supports intelligent archiving of information. Certain types of logs include, but are not limited to:

1. A control log that collects and stores numerical status values and output string values. The control log runs in the control engine to collect information output from other nodes.

2. Service log, which logs errors and changes made by operators. The service log occurs once for station 102.

3. A foreign log containing log information obtained outside the system for the object-oriented control system 100.

In addition, the log-service software application provides web-based access to all logs via Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

Access to an object or node is preferably controlled via a multilevel security protocol (preferably an 8 level protocol), and objects can be grouped in "containers" that facilitate presentation at various levels of detail. That is, a person monitoring, controlling, or programming an object's behavior can display the objects connected at various levels of detail on an immediate basis. Several functions are provided for controlling who can access and modify the object-oriented control system 100 and access individual objects including, but not limited to, initial passwords required for logon and programmable security groups for the objects. do.

In particular, the security model requires a user to log on to a system with a valid password. Each user object can be assigned or denied authorization for eight access levels (security authorization) of eight security groups. These security groups are independent of each other, and what they mean is a local matter. Each object can also be assigned to a combination of these eight security groups. In this way many other definitions can be specified at the same time.

Each user object defined in the database has a username and password required to log on to the system. Each of these user objects may be granted or denied security grants for eight security groups.

There are eight security groups defined for the system. They are independent of each other and what they mean is a local matter. Each object can be assigned to a combination of these eight security groups via a specific security group. By default, each object is assigned to security group 0 (general). In this way many other security authorizations can be specified simultaneously. The default security groups are as follows:

0 = normal

1 = hvac

2 = security

3 = life safety

4 = group 4

5 = group 5

6 = group 6

7 = group 7

Security authorization is the default permission given to each user. These include, without limitation, operator reads, operator records, manager reads, manager records, standard commands, awareness alerts, emergency commands and manager commands.

A user's access to an object is determined by combining his or her rights for each group that is displayed or examined in the security group properties of the object. In addition, if a user has rights to a container, some rights apply to his child. If a user has operator read access to a container, that user can see the user from a workspace perspective. If a user has an administrator record approval for a container, that user can perform many functions for the container, including linking, cutting, copying, copying, deleting, and renaming.

Object security is defined by a combination of security groups that the user assigns to objects and assigns them to operator or administrator properties. A user can assign any object to any combination of eight security groups assigned to that system. This is done through a property security group. By default, each object is assigned to security group 0 (general).

Each property of the system is designated as either an operator or manager property. This determines what security permissions the user must have to review or edit the properties of the object.

Operator security authorization is defined as the function required as a system operator who needs to review or edit only the lowest level functions of an object.

Administrator security approvals are specified as the functions required to configure the system. This person needs to review or edit all the features of the system. Admin editing involves creating objects and linking objects in addition to adding properties.

The object-oriented control system 100 provides a user service to designate a new user through a user object. User services ensure that user security groups and authorizations are enforced for each user. A new user object is created for the new user, including the default username and password. The user can change his password. Users or objects are assigned to one or more security groups. Each user security authorization can be changed.

Objects are dynamically linked together using one of the following connections, Normal, Trigger, LonTalkLocal, LonTalkNetwork, UI, Compound, or External, without limitation.

In addition, the object-oriented control system 100 uses BACnet ™ command priority attention to mediate the operations performed by the software application program on the object or node. BACnet ™ command priorities are achieved by assigning different priority levels to an application program that can command a particular object or node, and storing the priorities for that node at that node as the node's object properties. Each node or object follows the instructions received from the software application program according to its instruction priority level.

Client 101, server 110, and network processor 111 are preferably implemented using a personal computer, such as an Intel Pentium ™ -based personal computer running a Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows NT operating system. The field controller 112 may be implemented using a limited performance, low cost single board computer capable of operating as a Java virtual machine. So-called network computers can be used for this purpose, for example.

The architecture of the present invention supports many other system configurations. Some of the more common configurations include field controller systems (FIG. 2), small web BAS server systems (FIG. 3), two-level systems (FIG. 4), three-level systems (FIG. 5) and distributed systems (FIG. 6). .

Referring to FIG. 2, the field controller system is a configuration of the present invention in which a client accesses a single field controller 112 overseeing a LonMark fieldbus 107 connected to a plurality of LonMark devices 122.

3 shows a small client (browser client 120, full client 121, or both) accessing a single web BAS server 110 overseeing a LonMark fieldbus 107 connected to a plurality of LonMark devices 122. Show the web BAS server system. As shown in FIG. 4, the two-level system is a system comprised of a web BAS server 110 that directly oversees any combination of network processor 111, field controller 112, and BACnet device 123. In addition, a three-level system may be provided in which the web BAS server 110 directly oversees the network processor 111 overseeing the field controller 112. Finally, FIG. 6 consists of a distributed system further comprising a remote host 108, wherein a set of large or small systems are connected and supervised through the remote host 108 using a modem 109. An alternative embodiment of the control system 100 is shown.

The system includes an architecture that constructs, deploys, and implements a system that automates many of the services required to successfully operate and manage office, commercial, healthcare, education, and industrial facilities.

The data flow of the system is preferably managed by a continuous, real-time information synchronization manager (PRISM) 200 at each station 102 that is key to achieving the purpose of the distributed object-oriented control system 100. PRISM 200 maintains the integrity of system data throughout the object-oriented control system 100 through the use of archiving and synchronization techniques as described in FIG. Data associated with the object-oriented control system 100 is categorized into system data, Java applications and control engines (JACE), nodes, and properties. In addition, each data of the object-oriented control system 100 is also categorized according to its life cycle. Temporary data exists for the life of the host virtual machine (VM). Persistent data exists beyond the lifetime of the host VM and persists during a power failure or shutdown. The virtual machines present in the object-oriented control system 100 may include a pool user interface 206 associated with the pool client 121, a browser user interface 208 associated with the browser client 120, a Taz 210, and one or more JACEs ( 212), but is not limited to such. Persistent data is archived by storing it in nonvolatile memory. In the presently preferred embodiment, FLASH 204 and magnetic disk 202 nonvolatile storage media (ie, "Pstore") are used to store archived persistent data. JACE 212 maintains a master copy of temporary and persistent data associated with them. Synchronized and asynchronous caches are used under the control of PRISM 200 to ensure that objects have access to current system data. Each virtual machine has at least one cache containing all the data required by that virtual machine. The cache is kept up to date with the matching method used by the virtual machine's cache to match the cache of their supervisory station 102 or to update this cache. The stations 102 then match their caches with each other. In the presently preferred embodiment a checksum is used to determine the inconsistency in the current data. Each supervisory station 102 obtains the current virtual machine cache data for the node stored at the supervisory station and then computes a checksum for the cache data and cache content received from the virtual machine that is being queried. If the checksums do not match, a discrepancy is detected, in which case the supervisory station 102 updates the cache to reflect, but is not limited to, newer data, and performs a timestamp comparison to select newer data. Or take steps to solve the problem, including raising an alarm or error indication.

In the present best embodiment, instead of a single web BAS server 110, the object oriented control system 100 includes a plurality of web BAS servers 110, each of which is self-persistent. Have a database of data. In the present best embodiment, the object has access to persistent data regardless of the physical location of the particular web BAS server 110 where the data is archived. Station 102 may communicate with other station 102 regardless of whether other station 102 is also connected to local web BAS server 110.

As pointed out previously, in order to support the broad demand for objects in all types of installations, the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a Java module environment that allows software modules to be easily installed and used anywhere in the control system. . In this way, objects can be installed where needed to provide the best real-time performance.

The system is preferably composed of Java class files to implement the system in a platform-independent manner so that it can be delivered to any supported platform. The core class hierarchy according to the present invention provides a system with nodes and platforms capable of this flexibility. Layers are supported in a flexible way to configure drivers for different interfaces and protocols for different platforms. In addition to the core class hierarchy, user objects are organized in a hierarchy such that they inherit the behavior hierarchically and perform predictably. The hierarchy achieved in the preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 8.

In the presently preferred embodiment the user of the object-oriented control system 100 is associated with a plurality of object categories including, but not limited to, object categories such as controls, applications, user interfaces, containers, LonMark ™, BACnet, administrators, and services. You can form and manipulate objects.

In addition, control object categories further include subcategories such as analog input, analog output, binary input, binary output, comparison, logic, loops, calculations, function generators, and calculators.

In addition, application object categories further include subcategories such as schedules, calendars, programs, analog logs, binary logs, and integer logs.

In addition, user interface object categories further include subcategories such as bar graphs, Boolean images, bound images, dampers, pans, hot spot images, spectra, text, and timer plots.

In addition, container object categories further include compound and generic subcategories.

In addition, the LonMark ™ object category additionally includes subcategories such as Snvt Switch Mux, Snvt Switch Demux, DemoFcu, Leviton Switch, Leviton Sw 481, Action Instr A0, Action Instr A1, Action Instr D0, and Local Lon Nodes.

In addition, the BACnet object category additionally includes subcategories such as device, analog input, analog output, binary input, and binary output.

In addition, service object categories can include additional control engines, UI engines, user access, inter-station connections, HTTPD services, web text, web views, media, program debug, dialup, Lonworks, Lon communication, network variable poll scheduler, network variable manager, Includes subcategories such as BACnet Server, BACnet Client, BACnet Poll, BACnet Transport, BACnet Network, BACnet Ethernet, Error Archive, Error Forward, and Mail.

In addition, the manager object category additionally includes user subcategories.

The purpose and use of such objects provided by the object-oriented control system 100 includes, but is not limited to, those primarily understood to be associated with each of these object categories and subcategories.

In order to be acceptable in a real-time environment, the control engine for an object must perform predictably, but the user must be given control over the order in which objects are executed. The present invention provides such a function. In the presently preferred embodiment, object properties are provided to specify the order of execution and the frequency of execution. In the present best embodiment five different execution cycles may be specified. Each run cycle can be adjusted by editing the associated object properties in multiples of 100 ms. In the present best embodiment three different order of execution may be specified.

In order to provide the remote site with information about the site's performance, the system thus provides a programmable email service for sending real-time information to the remote site whenever it is programmed.

The system provides all the object properties as accessible elements, such as standard data types. This allows user and program objects to use certain properties efficiently. These properties are then exposed as XML (eXtended Markup Language) for manipulation by other tools.

The system needs a means to allow a user to create custom objects for some applications. To meet this need, a scripting language is defined that exposes a system of program objects for user access and control. The language is simple, uses standard object linking, has access to libraries, and provides a complete debugger.

The invention also applies the complex document paradigm of the Internet to the control system in a new way. This provides general visibility of the resource through a normal Universal Resource Locator (URL). These resources are linked to each other to allow the navigation to form a hyperlinked web of resources.

Resources are managed by the system to ensure accessibility and validity. The resources of the system include class files, executable DLLs, media, templates, properties files, databases and logs, and third party software.

The control system must be available to many people, including facility managers, application engineers and information professionals. In general, the system provides a new and unique control interface that includes a personalized browser interface for accessing objects and information. This interface includes a workspace display, workspace editor, property display, link display, and help functions. The user can send commands to any object or system, and change the operating characteristics and characteristics through the control interface.

By assembling information management and real-time expert control systems in a typical workstation, the BAS architecture of the present invention is simplified, and customers can have a single point of access to both information and control. The web BAS server platform provides a generic graphical user interface based on a Java-enabled web browser for all facility management information and building control applications. In addition, this open single software environment provides certain configuration tools for information / fieldbus network and control system applications over the Internet using any industry standard browser.

As disclosed herein, the web BAS server platform is the BAS industry's first software technology to combine different BACnet, LonMark, and Internet / CORBA into a common object model application environment supported via a Java-enabled web browser interface. This embodiment is also a comprehensive network management tool for supporting the BAS Field Contractor Channel in the formulation, design, configuration, installation and maintenance of the BACnet / LonMark / Internet / CORBA system networks.

Referenceable web BAS server software can be used in small buildings as a single-user front-end platform attached directly to the BACnet / LonMark fieldbus. For an opposing BAS facility, the web BAS server can be configured to oversee many network processors connected via Ethernet and to support unlimited remote web browser operator interface users. For enterprise customers, the web BAS server can be configured to combine the BAS architecture with IBM's enterprise information infrastructure and / or GrooveSneider personal / power system architecture.

One important feature of the present invention is the development of a BAS controller module (network processor). Conventional preferred BAS controller platforms have too little memory, speed and processing power to support multiple building service applications. Thus, each application, such as HVAC and access control, is provided with a separate controller that reclassifies the user's real problem into an independent product that can solve the problem but does not have a complex solution. This results in very little coupling between incompatible standalone building service solutions and increased installation costs.

This limitation is overcome by connecting the BACnet / LonMark fieldbus, which interoperates with the BAS controller processor technology in the present invention. To use this new high performance technology, the present invention uses application development capabilities that take advantage of the available processing power. Thus, the combination and multiple building service applications can be performed by the same computing platform.

To overcome the limited application development capabilities of today's BAS controllers, the network processor of the present invention uses a Java application environment based on object-oriented analysis, design and programming. NP combines multiple high-level building service applications and uses a powerful Java object / sequence engine based on Sun's JavaSoft technology to support multi-vendor fieldbus solutions. Examples of network processor applications include global alerts, global scheduling, trending / data collection, diagnostic services, and demand limiting / power management to combine popular building services products.

The network processor (NP) object software environment is preferably provided on an embedded controller hardware platform. The NP platform package supports multi-vendor LonMark fieldbus and provides Ethernet peer-to-peer networking for other NP and web BAS servers (see Figure 1 BACnet / LonMark / Internet Architecture).

The present invention provides three embodiments of a field controller (FC) platform as shown in the figures and the appendix. The FC platform preferably uses a 32-bit processor and can optionally connect to interoperable BASnet / LonMark fieldbuses via an Echelon coprocessor. These platforms use a real-time operating system that supports the Java object / order engine for the application. The FC is configured by the web BAS server over the fieldbus or through the FC's local RS 232 / modem port or video modem interface.

The first FC package supports locally attached terminal block input / output modules manufactured by Groupe Schneider. This integrated design approach is very flexible and cost-effective for final personal and commercial controller applications. The BACnet / LonMark object / sequence engine can use any local input / output data or any fieldbus device data in its powerful application environment.

The second 32-bit field controller platform attached to the fieldbus does not support locally attached inputs / outputs, but includes an integrated low cost programmable operator interface and a BACnet / LonMark object engine. The web BAS server configuration tool can program a flexible operator interface with control and data access from any node device on the fieldbus network.

A third embodiment of the field controller package is combined with a video cable modem to provide low cost internet access to a small building for monitoring and remote control by a web BAS server.

The operating elements of the system are each modeled as an object to simplify coupling and usage. This includes user presentations, network management, network control, real time control, and device objects.

As another feature of the present invention, to prevent relatively expensive full-time Internet access or long distance calls from the server to the client, the server uses a simple dialup notification mechanism where the client re-opens the connection to the server. In operation, the server dials a modem attached to the client and drops the call before the client answers. The client recognizes this as a server request contact. In response to the call, the client dials a local ISP with a low monthly service fee. The client then establishes a connection to the server via the Internet. This mechanism prevents calls or per minute charges by limiting access charges to the monthly fee charged by the ISP.

Therefore, a control system and method using object-oriented software to combine BACnet, LonMark, CORBA, Java, and Internet systems in a generic object model of distributed applications in a multi-vendor open-system system that supports multiple industry standards is needed. Has been shown. The control system and method of the present invention provide both predefined and user defined objects in a single control system. Integration and persistence of system data is maintained and distributed through archiving and synchronization technologies. Properties associated with the device are dynamically updated to reflect the external interface properties of the device.

This application includes, by reference, US patent application "Systems and Methods for Object-Oriented Control of Heterogeneous Electromechanical Systems Using Computer Networks", filed May 14, 1999.

Claims (7)

A client providing access to and control over the object-oriented control system via the electronic network, the client monitoring the system; Foreign devices that cannot be directly controlled using downloadable Java-based objects; A station that combines the foreign device with an object-oriented control system using a common object model, supervises other stations, and serves as a master of the local system to provide continuous backup of all configuration information; A flexible open architecture capable of supporting a plurality of heterogeneous configurations of the client, foreign device and station; A real time synchronization manager for coordinating regular and timely execution of a plurality of tasks; A plurality of user defined objects; A plurality of object properties; A plurality of object categories; An object creation mechanism for allowing user creation and modification of the object and the property according to the plurality of object categories; Multi-level security mechanisms; A plurality of predefined objects that coexist with the user-defined object; A continuous, real-time information synchronization manager that maintains the integrity of system data throughout the object-oriented control system through archiving and synchronization; Core class hierarchy of objects; A control engine for providing a predictable order of execution of the objects; And An object-oriented control system comprising a programmable mail service for sending email notifications containing real-time data to remote sites. The method of claim 1, And the object generation mechanism further comprises a dynamic device external interface update function for dynamically updating or adding an external interface object property associated with the foreign device. The method of claim 1, And a remote host for allowing access, control, and monitoring of the object-oriented control system from a location not physically located with other components of the object-oriented control system. Access means for allowing a user to control and monitor an object of an object-oriented control system using an electronic network; Coupling means for allowing a plurality of foreign devices to be controlled and monitored by an object-oriented control network using a common object model; Supervision means for allowing one station to control and monitor another station, including the function of acting as a master of the local system; Real time synchronization means for coordinating regular and timely execution of a plurality of tasks; New user object creation means for allowing user creation and modification of an object according to a plurality of object categories; Multilevel security means forbidding access to or modification of specific information associated with an object; Control engine means for providing a predictable order of execution of the objects; And And an programmable mail means for sending an email notification including real time data to a remote site. Providing access, control and monitoring to an object-oriented control system via an electronic network; And Coupling the foreign device to an object-oriented control system using a common object model to represent system information and make the system information available throughout the object-oriented control system. How to use it. The method of claim 5, And using a custom programming language to create or modify objects of the object-oriented control system. The method of claim 5, Grouping objects within the container to facilitate display at various levels of detail; Constructing an object according to a core class hierarchy; And Controlling access to the object through the use of a multilevel security protocol.