WO2015055286A1

WO2015055286A1 - Home-communication system and home-automation system

Info

Publication number: WO2015055286A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/002729
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ajoy KUNNAMKOT GEORGE; Tobias Blank; Boris BOSNJAK; Werner Kaps
Original assignee: Diehl Ako Stiftung & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2013-10-15
Filing date: 2014-10-08
Publication date: 2015-04-23
Also published as: EP3058638A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a home-communication and/or home-automation system comprising a control device (10) for controlling a plurality of functional devices (26-n, 28-n, 44, 46) in/on a home; a switching device (16), which is connected to the control device (10) and is designed to establish data communication between the control device (10) and the plurality of functional devices (26-n, 28-n, 44, 46) in accordance with at least one predetermined communication protocol. At least one communication device (18, 22) is connected to the switching device (16), which at least one communication device is designed to establish a communication connection to a wireless communication network (20) or a wired communication network (24), to which at least one functional device (26-n, 28-n) can be connected. Additionally, at least one further communication device (30) is connected to the switching device (16), which at least one further communication device (30) is designed to establish a further communication connection to a power supply network (32) of the home. The home-communication and/or home-automation system also comprises at least one adapter device (34-n), which is or can be connected to the power supply network (32) of the home for narrow-band data communication with the control device (10) and at least one adapter communication device (36, 40) for establishing a communication connection to a further wireless communication network (42) or to a further wired communication network (38), wherein at least one further functional device (44, 46) can be connected to said further wireless or wired communication network (42, 38).

Description

HOME COMMUNICATION AND HOME AUTOMATION SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a home communication and / or automation system with a plurality of functional devices or terminals.

In home communication and / or automation systems, a plurality of functional devices or terminal devices (in particular different actuators and sensors) are usually centrally managed and controlled via a control device. The communication takes place wirelessly (for example by radio) or wired. In order to enable the communication between the central control device and the functional devices, a switching device, for example in the form of a gateway, is set between the control device and the respective communication network in order to be able to transmit the data according to a predetermined communication protocol.

In particular, with extensions of existing home communication and / or -automationssystemen it often causes problems because the newly added functional facilities are out of range of the wireless or wired communication network. In this context, DE 10 2011 087 277 A1 discloses a system for energy management for home appliances, in which at insufficient wireless radio range of the router and thus failed wireless connection between the power management unit and a uniquely addressable domestic appliance for the purpose of range increase for data transmission a Powerline bridging over the power grid is activated.

Moreover, in many cases, the communication technology of a newly added functional device is not compatible with the communication technology of the existing system. This problem is addressed in conventional systems, for example by the use of repeaters in the communication network and / or by a modification of the hardware of the gateway. The invention has for its object to provide an improved Hauskommunikationsund / or -automationssystem, which can be easily extended to other functional facilities. The expansion should be easy in particular for functional devices with other communication technologies.

This object is achieved by a home communication and / or automation system having the features of claim 1 and a method for controlling a plurality of functional devices of a home communication and / or automation system in / at a house having the features of claim 9. Particularly preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The home communication and / or automation system of the invention comprises a controller for controlling a plurality of functional devices in / on a house; a switch connected to the controller and configured to establish data communication between the controller and the plurality of functional devices according to at least one predetermined communication protocol. In addition, at least one communication device is provided, which is connected to the switching device and is designed to establish a communication connection with a wireless communication network or a wired communication network, wherein at least one functional device can be connected to this wireless or wired communication network, and at least one further communication device is provided which is connected to the switching device and is designed to establish a further communication connection with a power network of the house. The home communication and / or automation system further comprises at least one adapter device which is connected or connectable to the power supply of the house for data communication with the control device and at least one adapter communication device for establishing a communication connection with another wireless communication network or another has cable-bound communication network, wherein at least one further functional device can be connected to this further wireless or wired communication network. In addition, the at least one further communication device and the at least one adapter device are designed for narrow-band data communication. For a home communication and / or -automationssystem the existing switching device is connected in addition to a communication device for a communication connection with a wireless or wired communication network with another communication device that can establish a further communication link with a power network of the house. To this power grid can then be connected to other functional devices using adapter devices which are connected or connectable to the power network of the house for data communication and each have at least one adapter communication device for establishing a communication connection with another wireless communication network or another wired communication network ,

In other words, in the home communication and automation system of the invention, an existing system having one or more functional devices can be extended by further functional devices which can communicate with the switching device via an additional communication link and thus with the control device. If required, such a technology extension is also possible with an already installed system. In addition, a greater distance between the newly added further functional device and the switching device can be bridged by means of the power grid, so that a home communication and / or -automationssystem can also be extended beyond the range of an existing wireless or wired communication network to functional facilities. The adapter devices are preferably used only for data transmission and forwarding and thus require no special, independent higher intelligence.

By interposing the adapter devices, functional devices may also be connected to communication technologies other than the existing home communication and / or automation system. For this purpose, preferably only a modification of the software of the switching device is required. Thus, for example, functional devices or terminals from other manufacturers, which work with other communication technologies and protocols, be integrated into the system or for wireless connections inappropriate functional facilities (eg housed in metal boxes sensors, radiation-sensitive devices, etc.) are connected to an existing system, which until then only contains or supports wireless communication networks. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the switching device is therefore configured to carry out the data communication with functional devices connected via the at least one communication device according to a predetermined communication protocol and the data communication with further functional devices connected via the at least one further communication device optionally according to the predetermined communication protocol or at least one of perform the predetermined communication protocol various other communication protocol. Depending on whether or not the other functional devices to be added to the communication technology of the existing system are compatible with the functional devices, the switch performs the data communication with the other functional devices according to the predetermined communication protocol suitable for the functional devices or another predetermined communication protocol.

In this context, the term "home communication and / or automation system" is to be understood as meaning all types of systems, arrangements and devices in / on a house, a building or the like which have a network and centralized / decentralized control and management of the house / building. Building technology and the electrical appliances of a household / building / company / etc .. Such systems are for example also referred to as a "smart home system".

In this context, the term "functional device" is intended to encompass all types of devices and terminal devices which can perform a technical function, including actuators and sensors, in particular devices which are mounted in / on a house or building In this context, the "control" of such a functional device should include in particular both the activation of a technical function of the functional device and the exchange of data (control data, measurement data, etc.), the monitoring of functionalities and the like. In the context of the invention, functional devices include in particular but not exclusively heating devices (eg central heating, radiators in individual rooms, etc.), lighting devices (eg lights for direct and indirect room lighting, interior lights, outdoor lights, etc.), shading devices (eg blinds, Awnings, etc.), measuring devices (eg sensors for detecting internal temperature, outside temperature, brightness, humidity, time, number of people present, etc.), household appliances (eg washing machines, dishwashers, stoves, coffee machines, etc.), communication devices (eg telephone systems, mobile phones, remote controls, etc.), security technology (eg surveillance cameras, alarm systems, etc.) and media technology (eg televisions, computers, etc.) or their respective controls.

The control device is preferably a central or decentralized control device. The control device is preferably logically connected to the switching device. Preferably, the switching device is integrated in the control device. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the control device is connected as a functional device of the system with the switching device. The control device preferably has a microcontroller. The control device is preferably provided or connected to an input device and / or a display device. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the input device or the display device are connected to the control device as functional devices of the system.

The switch is configured to establish data communication between the controller and the plurality of functional devices in accordance with at least one predetermined communication protocol. The switching device is preferably designed as a so-called gateway or has such a gateway. The switching device preferably has at least one component selected from a microprocessor, a memory and a protocol driver. Depending on the functional devices used, the switching device is designed for at least one standard technology or a specific technology, for example proprietary or proprietary technology. Suitable communications protocols include, but are not limited to, Z-Wave, EnOcean, Zigbee, KNX, M-Bus, Modbus, RS485, RS232, Ethernet, and the like.

While the switching device is responsible for the conversion or conversion of the data packets according to the at least one predetermined communication protocol, the communication device connected thereto serves to establish a communication connection with the respective communication network. Suitable communication networks include both wireless communication networks (eg radio, etc.) and wired communication systems (eg bus systems, electrical bus lines, optical fibers, etc.). The at least one communication device is preferably integrated into the switching device or forms with this a structural unit.

The at least one further communication device is used to establish a further communication connection with a power network of the house (Powerline Communication, PLC).

The at least one adapter device can be connected to the power network, preferably in the manner of "plug and play", in order to establish a communication connection with the control device via the power network and the switching device which, similarly to the communication device of the switching device, serves to establish a communication connection with a further wireless or wired communication network, to which a further functional device can then be connected The adapter device is designed to provide data communication with a further functional device according to one of the For any further communication technology of a functional device to be connected to the system, a correspondingly adapted adapter device is to be provided develop and use. In contrast to the switching device, the adapter device preferably does not have its own, higher intelligence, but serves primarily for data transmission; the function of the master controller of the communication continues to take over the (central) switching device.

According to the invention, the at least one further communication device and the at least one adapter device are designed for narrow-band data communication. The narrowband technology is less susceptible to interference than the broadband technology and has a greater range, which is why it is particularly suitable for home communication and / or automation systems. The lower data rates compared to broadband technology are generally sufficient for home communication and / or automation systems. The narrowband technique preferably operates in the frequency range of less than 500 kHz, more preferably in the frequency range of about 3 to 150 kHz.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adapter device is integrated into the further functional device. In this embodiment, the further function be connected directly to the mains in the manner of "plug and play".

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the further communication device is integrated into the switching device or forms with this a structural unit. This structural design allows a compact design of the system.

The invention also provides a switching device for such a home communication and / or automation system.

The invention further relates to an adapter device for such a home communication and / or -automationssystem.

In the method according to the invention for controlling a plurality of functional devices of a home communication and / or automation system in / at a house, the following steps are provided:

Establishing a communication connection between a controller and a wireless communication network or a wired communication network;

Connecting at least one functional device to the wireless or wired communication network;

Establishing data communication between the controller and the at least one functional device;

Establishing a further communication connection between the control device and a power network of the house;

Establishing a communication connection of a further wireless communication network or of a further line-bound communication network, to which at least one further functional device can be connected to the power network; and

Establishing a narrowband data communication between the control device and the at least one further functional device.

In particular, the same advantages can be achieved with this method as with the above-described home communication and / or automation system of the invention. making. Accordingly, the various advantages, terminology and preferred embodiments apply equally to this method.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the data communication with at least one functional device via the communication connection is carried out according to a predetermined communication protocol and the data communication with at least one further functional device via the further communication connection either to the predetermined communication protocol or at least one of the predetermined communication protocol different further Communication protocol is performed.

The above and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 shows a highly simplified block diagram of a home communication and / or automation system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows by way of example the construction of a home communication and / or automation system for a home, in which a plurality of functional devices communicate with each other and with a central controller to provide i.a. For example, to control the lighting and darkening depending on the time of day and the external brightness and to regulate the heating system depending on the indoor and outdoor temperatures.

The system has a central control device 10 with a microcontroller, to which an input device 12, for example in the form of a keyboard, a remote control or the like, and a display device 1, for example in the form of a display, monitor or the like are connected. Via this control device 10, the user can configure, program and monitor the entire system with its various functional devices according to his wishes.

A switching device 16 is also connected to the control device 10. This switching device 16 may also be referred to as a gateway or have such a gateway. The switching device 16 contains in particular a processor or microcontroller, a memory and a protocol driver in order to connect the control device 10 to the available communication networks 20, 24, 32 and in particular special to enable data transmission according to at least one predetermined communication protocol (eg KNX, etc.).

In this embodiment, the switch 16 further includes or is connected to a first communication device 18 for establishing a communication connection with a wireless communication network 20 (e.g., radio, W-LAN, Bluetooth, etc.). In particular, this first communication device 18 has a corresponding transceiver for transmitting and receiving data signals. Alternatively or additionally, the switch 16 may include or be connected to a second communication device 22 for establishing a communication link with a wired communications network 24 (e.g., bus, optical fibers, etc.). In particular, this second communication device 22 has a corresponding transceiver for transmitting and receiving data signals.

To the wireless communication network 20, a plurality of functional devices 26-1, 26-2, ... can be connected. To the wired communication network 24 also several functional devices 28-1, 28-2, 28-3, ... can be connected. These functional devices 26-n, 28-n are, for example, various sensors (outside temperature, inside temperature, brightness, time, etc.) and various actuators (lights, blinds, radiators, etc. or their controls).

The functional devices 26-n can be used only within the range of the wireless communication network 20. The functional devices 28-n can be used only where the wired communication network 24 is present or prepared. If such a home communication and / or automation system is to be expanded or supplemented by further functional devices, this is not always possible without problems in conventional systems. This applies in particular if the further functional devices are to use communications technologies other than the functional devices 26-n, 28-n and / or are to be used outside the range of the wireless communications network or outside of the wired communications network, ie, for example, in one (especially later developed) attic, a building cultivation, a garden house and the like. The missing or insufficient network connection can be bridged in such a case by the power grid, which is usually present. This happens, for example, as follows.

The home communication and / or automation system is equipped with a further communication device 30, which is connected to the switching device 16 or integrated into it. This further communication device 30 establishes a communication connection to a power network 32 of the house or building (Powerline Communication, PLC). This communication connection is carried out in particular in the less interference-prone narrowband technique (Narrowband, Ultra Narrowband) in a frequency range of less than 500 kHz.

The further functional devices 44, 46 can then be connected via adapter devices 34-n to the power network 32 for data communication with the control device 10.

For this purpose, the adapter devices 34-n each have a corresponding transceiver for transmitting and receiving data signals. In addition, the adapter devices 34-n are each provided with an adapter communication device 36 for establishing a communication connection with another line-connected communication network 38 which at least one further functional device 44 is connected, and / or an adapter communication device 40 for establishing a communication connection with a further wireless communication network 42, with which at least one further functional device 46 is in communication connection provided.

As indicated in FIG. 1, it is optionally possible to connect a plurality of adapter devices 34-n for connecting a larger number of further functional devices 44, 46 via possibly a plurality of communication networks 38, 42 to the power network 32.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, it is also possible to integrate the adapter device 34 - 1 into the further functional device 44 so that they are connected to the power network 32 as a structural unit, for example in the manner of "plug and play" can. As described above, via the further communication device 30, the power network 32 and the adapter devices 34-n, further functional devices 44, 46 can be connected to the home communication and / or automation system with the control device 10 and the switching device 16, which are outside the existing one wireless or wired communication networks 20, 24 are to be used. Specifically, with this construction, it is also possible to connect further functional devices 44, 46 to the system, which use a different communication technology than the functional devices 26-n, 28-n connected via the networks 20, 24.

For this purpose, only the software (e.g., protocol drivers, etc.) of the switch 16 need to be modified. The switching device 16 is thus enabled, in particular, to communicate with the further functional devices 44, 46 via the at least one further communication device 30, the power network 30 and the adapter devices 34-n, depending on the others Functional means 44, 46 used communication technologies either according to the predetermined communication protocol that uses the switching device for data communication with the functional devices 26-n, 28-n, or at least one other, tuned to the other communication technology of the other functional devices 44, 46 further Communication protocol. The communication link can then be easily achieved by the further communication device 30, the power network 32 and the adapter devices 34-n. Although not shown in FIG. 1, it is also possible to integrate the further communication device 30 into the switching device 16 and / or to integrate the switching device 16 with the control device 10.

Instead of the central control device 10, it is also possible, alternatively or additionally, to provide a control device in the form of a functional device of the system.

Furthermore, in particular, the input device 12 and / or the display device 14 may also be provided in the form of a functional device of the system, ie be connected to the control device 10 via a communications network 20, 24, 32 and the switching device 16. Furthermore, it is also possible to connect a plurality of switching devices 16 to the control device 10 in order to be able to connect functional devices via a plurality of communication networks using independent, possibly different communication protocols.

REFERENCE LIST 10 Control device

12 input device

14 display device

16 switching device

18 communication device to the wireless communication network 20 wireless communication network

22 Communication device to the wired

communication network

24 wired communication network

26-n functional devices

28-n functional devices

30 more communication devices to the power grid

32 power grid

34-n adapter devices

36 adapter communication device to another wired communication network

38 further wired communication network

40 adapter communication device for further wireless

communication network

42 additional wireless communication network

44 more functional device

46 more functional device

Claims

Home communication and / or automation system, with

a control device (10) for controlling a plurality of functional devices (26-n, 28-n, 44, 46) in / on a house;

a switch (16) connected to the controller (10) and configured to provide data communication between the controller (10) and the plurality of functional devices (26-n, 28-n, 44, 46) according to at least one predetermined communication protocol set;

at least one communication device (18, 22) connected to the switching device (16) and configured to establish a communication link with a wireless communication network (20) or a wired communication network (24), to which wireless or wired communication network (20 , 24) at least one functional device (26-n, 28-n) can be connected;

at least one further communication device (30), which is connected to the switching device (16) and is designed to establish a further communication connection with a power network (32) of the house; and

at least one adapter device (34-n) which is connected or connectable to the power network (32) of the house for data communication with the control device (10) and at least one adapter communication device (36, 40) for establishing a communication connection with another wireless communication network (42) or a further line-bound communication network (38), wherein at least one further functional device (44, 46) can be connected to this further wireless or line-bound communication network (42, 38),

wherein the at least one further communication device (30) and the at least one adapter device (34-n) are designed for narrow-band data communication.

System according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the switching device (16) is designed to communicate with the data via the at least one communication device (18, 22) connected to perform functional means (26-n, 28-n) according to a predetermined communication protocol and the data communication with at least one further communication means (30) connected further functional means (44, 46) optionally after the perform predetermined communication protocol or at least one of the predetermined communication protocol different further communication protocol.

3. System according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the adapter device (34-1) is integrated in the further functional device (44).

4. System according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the at least one communication device (18, 22) and / or the at least one further communication device (30) are integrated into the switching device (16).

5. System according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the switching device (16) is integrated in the control device (10).

6. Switching device (16), in particular for a home communication and / or -automationssystem according to one of claims 1 to 5, which with a control device (10) for controlling a plurality of functional devices (26-n, 28-n, 44, 46) in / is connectable to a house,

characterized in that

is configured to establish data communication between the control device (10) and a plurality of functional devices (26-n, 28-n, 44, 46) according to at least one predetermined communication protocol,

it is connected or connectable to at least one communication device (18, 22) for establishing a communication connection with a wireless communication network (20) or a wired communication network (24) to which at least one functional device (26-n, 28-n) can be connected, and

with at least one further communication device (30) for production a further communication connection to a power network (32) of the house is connected or connectable, to which at least one further functional means (44, 46) via an adapter device (34-n) is connectable.

Switching device (16) according to claim 6,

characterized in that

it is designed to carry out the data communication with functional devices (26-n, 28-n) connected via the at least one communication device (18, 22) according to a predetermined communication protocol and the data communication with functional devices connected via the at least one further communication device (30) ( 44, 46) selectively perform according to the predetermined communication protocol or at least one of the predetermined communication protocol different communication protocol.

Adapter device (34-n), in particular for a home communication and / or automation system according to one of claims 1 to 5, which is for narrowband data communication according to a predetermined communication protocol with a control device (10) for controlling a plurality of functional devices in / on one House with a power network (32) of the house is connectable and at least one adapter communication means (36, 40) for establishing a communication connection with a wireless communication network (42) or a wired communication network (38), to this further wireless or wired communication network (42, 38) at least one functional device (44, 46) can be connected.

Method for controlling a plurality of functional devices of a home communication and / or automation system in / at a house, comprising the steps of:

Establishing a communication connection between a control device (10) and a wireless communication network (20) or a wired communication network (24);

Connecting at least one functional device (26-n, 28-n) to the wireless or wired communication network (20, 24);

Establishing data communication between the controller (10) and the at least one functional device (26-n, 28-n);

Establishing a further communication connection between the control device (10) and a power grid (32) of the house;

Establishing a communication connection of a further wireless communication network (42) or a further line-bound communication network (38), to which at least one further functional device (44, 46) can be connected to the power network; and

Establishing a narrowband data communication between the control device (10) and the at least one further functional device (44, 46).

10. The method according to claim 9,

characterized in that

the data communication with at least one functional device (26-n, 28-n) is carried out via the communication connection according to a predetermined communication protocol and the data communication with at least one further functional device (44, 46) via the further communication connection optionally according to the predetermined communication protocol or at least one of the predetermined communication protocol various other communication protocol is performed.