WO2001017091A1 - Systeme de blocs d'etat - Google Patents

Systeme de blocs d'etat Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001017091A1
WO2001017091A1 PCT/SE2000/001537 SE0001537W WO0117091A1 WO 2001017091 A1 WO2001017091 A1 WO 2001017091A1 SE 0001537 W SE0001537 W SE 0001537W WO 0117091 A1 WO0117091 A1 WO 0117091A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
state
block
blocks
family
port
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE2000/001537
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Henrik Gustafsson
Leif Johnsson
Peter Kriens
Jan Gabrielsson
Original Assignee
Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson filed Critical Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson
Priority to AU64861/00A priority Critical patent/AU6486100A/en
Publication of WO2001017091A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001017091A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L12/2816—Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities
    • H04L12/2818—Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities from a device located outside both the home and the home network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L12/2816—Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities
    • H04L12/282—Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities based on user interaction within the home
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L12/2823—Reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network
    • H04L12/2827—Reporting to a device within the home network; wherein the reception of the information reported automatically triggers the execution of a home appliance functionality
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L61/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
    • H04L61/50—Address allocation
    • H04L61/5007—Internet protocol [IP] addresses
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L12/2807—Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network
    • H04L12/2809—Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network indicating that an appliance service is present in a home automation network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L2012/284—Home automation networks characterised by the type of medium used
    • H04L2012/2841—Wireless
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L2012/284—Home automation networks characterised by the type of medium used
    • H04L2012/2843—Mains power line
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L2012/2847—Home automation networks characterised by the type of home appliance used
    • H04L2012/285—Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system of at least two state-blocks according to the preamble of claim 1 where a state-change of one state- block is communicated to the other state-blocks of the system and also to a method of establishing connection between physically separated user interfaces.
  • the invention further relates to a state-block and a gateway- block according to the other independent claims.
  • US-5, 455,464 discloses a method and apparatus for providing dynamically configurable electrical switches.
  • This patent has as starting point a traditional wiring scheme, e.g. in houses and offices, where each electrical socket is separately wired to a specific wall switch, which in turn is wired to a power source.
  • This wire scheme has several disadvantages: Running multiple wires to accommodate each outlet and switch pair can be expensive and difficult to organize; it is difficult to locate specific individual wires running from the power source to a specific wall switch or from a specific wall switch to a specific electrical socket and if new configurations are wanted the individual wires must be located and maybe rewired.
  • the apparatus disclosed in US-5, 455, 464 comprises switch controls that allow a user to select a function to control a corresponding electrical device, a control unit which couples electrical power to a plurality of electrical devises through power outlets.
  • the switch control transmits both a switch state, indicative of the function selected on the switch control, and a switch identification that uniquely identifies that switch control.
  • a switch command is generated in a switch control
  • a transmitter generates a packet of digital data comprising bits of information identifying the switch control and the switch state.
  • the digitized data is transmitted to the control unit. Different ways of transmission can be used, e.g. radio waves, infra red transmission or lower frequencies transmitted by an electrical conductor.
  • the control unit comprises an identification map where an operator manually can enter new switch identification and select one corresponding power outlet for the switch control to operate.
  • One object of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks.
  • the identifications of all state-blocks in a state-block family are stored in each state-block in the family. Every time a state is changed in a state-block this state change is communicated to all the other state-blocks in the state-block family.
  • each state-block is connected to a gateway-block polled by the gateway-block and all state changes together with the identification of the state -block are transferred via a communication network to the other state-blocks of the state-block family.
  • a state-block directory is connected to the communication network, wherein said state-block directory is provided with the identifications of all state-blocks in an identification family and adapted to assign addresses to said identifications.
  • the communication network an IP-based network.
  • a user interface connected to the state-block.
  • the user interfaces on a state- block pair could e.g. be a switch connected to the state-port of one state- block in a state-block family and an electrical heating apparatus connected to the state port of another state-block in the same family.
  • the state-block with the switch is e.g. arranged in an apartment and the other state-block is arranged in a house in the countryside. The switch could thus remotely control the heating apparatus.
  • state-blocks Another application of the state-blocks is that one state-block in a state- block family is connected to a thermometer that gives electrical indication of the outside temperature, in e.g. Sweden, on the state port.
  • the other state-blocks in the family have a display connected to its respective state ports where the temperature is displayed.
  • Still another application of a state-block pair is the remote control of toys.
  • a state-block arranged in relation to a remote control unit e.g. for controlling a toy robot and the other state-block is connected to a control input of the toy robot.
  • the remote control unit and the toy robot could be placed separately anywhere in the world provided that connection to a communication network is available.
  • the system can be described as a virtual connection between globally distributed state-blocks.
  • An IP-based connection network i.e. the Internet that nowadays has a global coverage, can provide this virtual connection.
  • the fact that the Internet is an established communication network accepted throughout the world and that a user do not have to bother about how the communication network functions is a presumption for the easy handled state-blocks according to the invention.
  • the present invention provides a possibility to establish the connection to the communication network, e.g. the Internet, in an easy way.
  • the communication block is placed in the vicinity of the state-block, that could mean in the same room or in the same building etc.
  • the communication block could be a part of a PC and has a residential gateway that handles the communication to the Internet. Another possibility is that a PC performs the activity performed by the communication block and the residential gateway.
  • the only installation effort that has to be made is to make sure that the switch and the heating apparatus are energized and that the communication blocks are activated (PC turned on) to be able to identify the other state-block via the Internet.
  • a state change e.g. the switch is turned on, is detected by the state-block and transferred, via the Internet, to the other state-block where a state change is detected and present at the state-port which in turn is able to control the heating apparatus to be turned on.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of the system in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a state-block and a gateway block in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figures 4a and 4b show block diagrams related to a functional description of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of the system in accordance with the invention.
  • the system comprises state-blocks 2 connected to gateway-blocks 4.
  • User interfaces 6 are connected to the state-blocks.
  • the gateway-block 4 is connected to a communication block 8 via a communication link 10 and the communication block 10 is in turn connected to a communication network 12.
  • a state-block directory 14 in a state-block directory server 15 (see figure 3) is connected to the communication network 12.
  • Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the state-block 2 and a gateway-block 4.
  • the state-block comprises a processing unit, e.g. a microprocessor, 16 and a state-block memory 18.
  • the user interface 6 (see figure 1) is connected to a state port 20 of the state-block and the gateway-block is connected to a communication port 22 of the state- block.
  • the gateway-block comprises a communication control unit 24, a state-block port 25 and a communication link port 26 connected to the communication link 10.
  • Figure 3 shows a schematic block diagram of the communication block 8, the communication network 12 and the state-block directory server 15.
  • the communication network is an IP-based network, e.g. the Internet.
  • the communication block 8 comprises a communication unit 28 and a residential gateway 30.
  • Each state-block comprises an identification stored in the state-block memory 18 of that state-block.
  • the identifications for all state-blocks in a state-block family belong to the same identification family and the identifications of the other state-blocks in the family are also stored in the state-block memory of each state-block.
  • the identifications are globally unique within the system of state-block families and are preferably unique 64 bit numbers. Cf. e.g. the MAC-addresses of ethernet-cards.
  • the state-block directory 14 in the state-block directory server 15 that is connected to the communication network is provided with the identifications of all state-blocks in an identification family and adapted, upon request, to assign addresses to said identifications.
  • the addresses of a state-block identification family comprise e.g. IP-addresses for all residential gateways for the state-blocks in the family. It should be noted that the state-block directory initially is empty. As soon as a state-block is activated or configured the identification together with the address to the relevant residential gateway is communicated to and stored in the state-block directory.
  • the state-block control software has two main tasks namely to handle the global and local information to and from the state-block.
  • the global task as indicated above, is to be able to locate the state-block directory server where the state-block directory is comprised and to send and receive information to and from it.
  • the local task is to locate the locally connected gateway-blocks and to send and receive relevant information, i.e. the identification and the state of a state-block.
  • the state-block directory is adapted to assign only the addresses to the state-block identifications, or more specifically to the residential gateway for each state-block identification.
  • no data regarding the states of the state-blocks i.e. information regarding the user interface, e.g. the type of function the state-blocks are controlling, are needed to be stored in the directory.
  • a state change applied at the state port of one state-block in the system is communicated via the communication port to all other state-blocks in the family and is detected at the state port of the other state-blocks.
  • the gateway block 4 energizes via the communication port 22 the state- block.
  • the connection between the state-block and the gateway-block is preferably a serial bus where identification and state-information to and from said state-block are communicated.
  • the gateway-block polls the state-block at regular intervals.
  • the polling frequency depends on the intended use. Basically any polling frequency is possible and the frequency is roughly dependent on the bandwidth of the connection between the state-block and the gateway-block.
  • the state-block is arranged to indicate to the gateway-block that a state change has occurred.
  • the communication between the gateway-block and the communication block can be performed by different techniques. Both wireless communication, e.g. by radio waves, IR and communication via electrical connections are possible.
  • the communication between the communication unit and the residential gateway could be performed in many different ways. It could be a local network, e.g. a token ring or an ethernet, or have a serial or wireless interface.
  • the residential gateway is a gateway to the communication network, e.g. a PC or a specialized "gateway-box". One commercially available gateway is known under the name "e-box”.
  • One residential gateway can handle many gateway-blocks.
  • the state- block control software can easily be installed on the residential gateway and will then automatically configure the system.
  • the system comprises two state-blocks, a state-block pair, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Each state-block is connected, as described above to a residential gateway. These two residential gateways receive, respectively, from the state-block directory the IP-address for the other residential gateway.
  • When a state is changed in one of the state-blocks information regarding the state change is sent to the other state-block via the network.
  • a system that comprises two state-blocks one has a switch connected to its state-port and the other state-block has a lamp connected to its state-port. Under the presumption that the switch and the lamp, respectively, are locally energized, the switch can turn on and off the lamp.
  • the switch and the lamp can theoretically be placed anywhere in the world provided that communication between them can be established via the communication network.
  • the physical shape of the state-block depends on the intended use. If for example the above-mentioned switch/ lamp configuration should be applied the state-block could be integrated (together with a gateway- block) in a lamp socket and in a switch, respectively. Another possible application is to integrate a state-block and a gateway- block in a toy, e.g. in a building block.
  • the state-block further comprises an indication port where it is indicated if the other state-blocks in the family are accessible.
  • This indication port could be connected to a light indicator, e.g. an LED.
  • An input- signal 32,32' is applied to a state-block 2,2' in order to perform a state-change of that block.
  • the signals representing the state-change is communicated to the other state-block according to the above-described technique, a change of state of the other state-block is performed and that state-change is indicated as an output- signal 34,34'.
  • the block diagram disclosed in figure 4a represents a general application of the state-block pair in that both input- and output- signal are provided at each state - block.
  • Figure 4b discloses a block diagram representing a more specific application of the present invention whereas the first state-block 2 is provided with an input-signal 32 in order to change the state of that block and the second state-block 2' is provided with an output-signal 34' for indicating that state-change.
  • a switch connected to the state-port of the first state-block 2.
  • An input-signal 32 is generated by the switch when it is turned on or off and a corresponding state-change is thus performed in the state-block memory.
  • the state-change is communicated to the second state-block where the same state-change is made.
  • An output-signal indicating the state-change is then applied to e.g. a lamp that is turned on or off in response of the activation of the switch.
  • the functional unit i.e. the state-block pair, could be compared to a pair of gates that physically and logically are connected together, i.e. the input and output signals are physically at connected together. The difference is that in the present invention the two state-blocks, although logically connected, are physically separated, i.e the input and output signals are physically separated by logically connected.
  • Still another way of describing a wide concept of the invention is to study an input-signal, which can represent any physical or logical parameter.
  • the input-signal is coded or translated into an entity that can be represented and stored in the state-block memory.
  • This entity is then communicated to the state-block memory of the other state-block(s) where another coding or translation is performed to obtain an output-signal applicable for the intended use, e.g. to turn on a lamp.
  • the coding or translation of the entities stored on the state-block memories is closely related to the user interface connected to it.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Multi Processors (AREA)
  • Small-Scale Networks (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention se rapporte à un système d'au moins deux blocs d'état physiques (2), chacun de ces blocs d'état comprenant une identification stockée dans une mémoire de blocs d'état (18), un processeur (16) et un port de communication unique (22) servant à communiquer l'identification et les informations d'état à destination et en provenance du bloc d'état. Le bloc d'état comprend également un port d'état (20) permettant d'appliquer et/ou d'indiquer les changements d'état (18), un processeur (16) et un port de communication unique (22) servant à communiquer l'identification et les informations d'état à destination et en provenance du bloc d'état. Le bloc d'état comprend également un port d'état (20) permettant d'appliquer ou d'indiquer les changements d'état. L'identification de tous les blocs d'état de ce système appartient à la même famille d'identifications et les identifications des autres blocs d'état de la famille sont stockées dans la mémoire de blocs d'état de chaque bloc d'état. Un changement d'état appliqué au port d'état d'un bloc d'état dans le système est communiqué via ce port de communication à tous les autres blocs d'état de la même famille et ce changement est indiqué au niveau du port d'état de ces autres blocs d'état.
PCT/SE2000/001537 1999-09-02 2000-08-03 Systeme de blocs d'etat WO2001017091A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU64861/00A AU6486100A (en) 1999-09-02 2000-08-03 System of state-blocks

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9903103A SE9903103L (sv) 1999-09-02 1999-09-02 System med tillståndsblock
SE9903103-1 1999-09-02

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001017091A1 true WO2001017091A1 (fr) 2001-03-08

Family

ID=20416833

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE2000/001537 WO2001017091A1 (fr) 1999-09-02 2000-08-03 Systeme de blocs d'etat

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6486100A (fr)
SE (1) SE9903103L (fr)
WO (1) WO2001017091A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5471190A (en) * 1989-07-20 1995-11-28 Timothy D. Schoechle Method and apparatus for resource allocation in a communication network system
DE19600644C1 (de) * 1996-01-10 1997-04-24 Bosch Gmbh Robert Schaltungsanordnung für in einem Kraftfahrzeug anordbare Funktionsmodule
DE19757770A1 (de) * 1997-11-07 1999-05-12 Ruhrguide Medienkonzepte Gmbh Signalsystem
EP0924949A1 (fr) * 1997-12-18 1999-06-23 Robert-Christian Gierth Système de détection et analyse des données et de communication, pour utilisateurs d'un immeuble

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5471190A (en) * 1989-07-20 1995-11-28 Timothy D. Schoechle Method and apparatus for resource allocation in a communication network system
DE19600644C1 (de) * 1996-01-10 1997-04-24 Bosch Gmbh Robert Schaltungsanordnung für in einem Kraftfahrzeug anordbare Funktionsmodule
DE19757770A1 (de) * 1997-11-07 1999-05-12 Ruhrguide Medienkonzepte Gmbh Signalsystem
EP0924949A1 (fr) * 1997-12-18 1999-06-23 Robert-Christian Gierth Système de détection et analyse des données et de communication, pour utilisateurs d'un immeuble

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE9903103D0 (sv) 1999-09-02
AU6486100A (en) 2001-03-26
SE9903103L (sv) 2001-03-03

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