WO2016022017A1

WO2016022017A1 - Universal control platform for wireless sensor networks

Info

Publication number: WO2016022017A1
Application number: PCT/MY2015/000055
Authority: WO
Inventors: A/I K. Gannasin THARMAINDRAN
Original assignee: Bnetworks Sdn Bhd
Priority date: 2014-08-04
Filing date: 2015-07-31
Publication date: 2016-02-11
Also published as: WO2016022017A4; MY188039A

Abstract

The present invention provides a smart home control system comprising a central cloud server subscriber system for storing user profile and protocol handler information. A smart home interface controller is wirelessly coupled to cloud central server system. The cloud central server perform all the operation and provides command and controlling instruction to smart Interface controller, which works within multiple home automation system and provides support for different wireless protocol technology. The central system is modularly designed to support multiple technology (Zigbee, Zwave, En Ocean, Insteon, etc) concurrently by connecting the respective technology dongles to the smart control center. This allows maximum flexibility to users to choose the technology/technologies they wish to have for their premises.

Description

Universal Control Platform for Wireless Sensor Networks

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to an intelligent cloud server system. More particularly, relates to a centralized system to support multiple wireless communication protocol technology such as Zigbee, Zwave, En Ocean, Insteon, etc concurrently.

Background of the Invention

Conventional home automation control systems are generally constructed using separately purchased, independent components that are put to work together for the needs of a particular installation. In some cases, these components are not even designed to work together, and glue logic is required to put them into an interoperable system. Because of the wide variety of setup possibilities, the interfaces for the commissioning process are so complex that a trained installer or a sophisticated end-user is generally the only ones able to perform these installations.

Conventional home networking problems faced by the buyers/clients such as products are wired type which requires tedious and messy wiring works from control panels to individual sensor points. Only properties under construction are applicable for the wired type of products. Wireless products are based on proprietary technologies which mean the control panel only works with its own sensors. They have range limits and require booster and repeaters to ensure uninterrupted communication. Products which are based on mesh networking technologies such as Zigbee or Zwave only supports either one of the technologies. For those that support both, the Zigbee/ZWave/any other technology enabled chips are embedded into the main board. This increases the cost of per control panel in totality regardless of the need of buyers to have support of multiple technologies. Generally, they may not have plug-n-play based multiple technology support features.

Therefore, there is a need for a method and system which solve the above- identified problems in home automation systems. The present centralized cloud server system presents a novel solution enabling the targeted users to build a technology-neutral smart home the way they like it and it will be an enabler for Internet of Things (loT) applications.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a system for supporting multiple wireless sensor network communication technology. The system comprises a cloud server, the cloud server comprises a communication protocol module, wherein said module contains plurality of communication protocol, a sensor module containing plurality of sensor identification information associated with said communication protocol, an application module containing plurality of application and a billing module for managing subscriber billing profile for subscribing applications for associated protocols, an interface controller wirelessly coupled to said cloud server system, the interface controller configured to retrieve identification information about one or more sensor device or module connected to one or more ports, transmitting the device identification information to the cloud central server system, receiving a protocol handler supported by the sensor device or module.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cloud server system for controlling and supporting multiple wireless sensor network communication technology by a controller. The system comprising a central cloud server and a interface controller wirelessly coupled to the database, wherein the interface controller configured to retrieve identification information about one or more sensor device or module connected to one or more ports, transmitting the device identification information to the central cloud server, receiving a protocol handler supported by the sensor device or module. The object of the present invention provides a centralized server for keeping record of user subscribed service and profile information specific to user devices.

The object of the present invention is to provide a product addressing the others product weaknesses above whereby it is modularly designed with support of multiple technology (Zigbee, Zwave, En Ocean, Insteon, etc, etc) concurrently by connecting the respective technology dongles to the smart control center.

This allows maximum flexibility to users to choose the technology/technologies they wish to have for their premises.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views: Figure 1 illustrates a centralized cloud server architecture according to an embodiment of present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a centralized cloud server architecture (100) according to an embodiment of present invention. The cloud server (101 ) comprises a communication protocol module (101 1 ), Sensor Device Module (1012), Application Recipe Module (1013) and Subscriber Billing Module (1014). The server (101 ) communicates with the customer premise interface controller (103) through a wireless network (102). The functioning of all modules is explained later in the specification. The central cloud server (101) is a very complex back hand software solution. The server (101 ) provides a method for integrating user interface devices (smartphones, tablets, pc) with the interface controller at customer premises. The cloud server 101 stores huge data files in a storage containing thousands of coding written to integrate 3 and more independent modules. The cloud server (101) with interface controller controls all the operation of system (100). It control, retrieve, update, manage all communication between its independent modules and remote smart control centers (103) or interface controller.

Communication Protocol Module (CPM)

The CPM comprises of the communication protocol of all sensor devices compatible and supported by interface controller or smart control center (102) SCC. The Cloud Server retrieves sensor device information from the sensor device module (SDM) and communication protocol supported by the device from the communication protocol module (CPM) to send commands required to initiate control of remote sensors (on/off), check sensor battery level, check sensor status, etc.

Sensor Device Module (SDM)

The Sensor Device Module (1012) is for the purpose of storing, updating and interacting the ID of every sensor device linked in any particular controller (103).

As per the source code below it will be stored with the following details of all devices supported by interface controller (103).

The Application Recipe Module (ARM) is used to store pre-programmed settings and functions that users and subscribers can choose and upload into their respective smart home controller (103). This will simplify the process for users to program and setup the setting of their sensor device or module (not shown) connected with the interface controller (103). When a user send a command to the cloud server (101 ) for a setting (recipe) of "porch light to turn on when motion detector in the porch detects vehicle between 2000hrs - 0600hrs", the Server (101 ) will search for this recipes in the ARM, check the sensor devices involved in SDM and finally updated the controller (103) with the recipe asked by the user. The scenario is similar to the image below:-

Subscriber Billing Module (SBM)

The system (100) supports plurality of small application run on smart controller (103) as specified by the user. Each application comprises of a user interface for many sub-applications such as Security, Automation, Energy Monitoring, Surveillance, Healthcare, Asset Tracking, etc. Some of this sub-application pre- installed into the every system controller for free use by the user. While some apps are chargeable on monthly basis. When a user subscribes (online via e-cart) for a particular sub-apps, the cloud server checks the respective sensor devices installed with the SCC (103) and updates the SBM (1014). The CS (101 ) initiates all activities and deactivates all activities if the subscription conditions failed (nonpayment/ temporary suspension/ trial period/ etc). When a payment is made/renewed for a particular period, the CS (101 ) activates the particular apps at the user interface devices.

The Cloud Server (101 ) control all the operation and function of different modules. Which are described here in different steps of process flow. i) Each smart controller (103) have a unique ID/account number. The installer/user log-in to official product registration software stored at Cloud Server (101 ) to key-in their personal details, product ID and activate the main unit. ii) The control server verifies the product ID with the manufacturer's genuine product ID before activating it. iii) The control server (103) then send a log-in details and passwords for users to access their personal portal for settings, sensor layout placement and usage of functions. iv) The cloud server (103) activates only the basic Apps by default. Activation of upgraded apps such as Power Meter, Virtual Storage, etc should be upon verification with Subscriber Billing Module (SBM) v) The Cloud Server (103) is also integrated/linked with - Payment gateway server (ipay, paypal, MOL, etc) smart control portal online store cart (user's purchasing premium apps or buying VAS like virtual storage space, online antivirus, etc) v) The cloud server (103) is capable of suspending subscription of services for users who failed to pay fees within cut-off-date (SBM). Reconnection of services will be done upon payment (with penalties) confirmation (from payment gateways billing system). vii) The central software performs following operation:

Initiate all remote firmware/software updates of systems

Remote periodical back-up of system settings/data/etc

Remote diagnostic report generation for troubleshooting when users complaints system error Do a 'health check' on link/connection with each main units and report to subscribers if there is a link failure

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention may easily be produced in other specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The present embodiments is, therefore, to be considered as merely illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

I/WE Claim 1. A system for supporting multiple wireless sensor network communication technology, the system comprising: a cloud server, said cloud server comprises: a communication protocol module, wherein said module contains plurality of communication protocol; a sensor module containing plurality of sensor identification information associated with said communication protocol; an application module containing plurality of application; and a billing module for managing subscriber billing profile for subscribing applications for associated protocols; an interface controller wirelessly coupled to said cloud server system, said interface controller configured to retrieve identification information about one or more sensor device or module connected to one or more ports, transmitting the device identification information to the cloud central server system, receiving a protocol handler supported by the sensor device or module.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein Interface controller retrieves identification information from sensor module.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein Interface controller receives protocol handler information from communication protocol module.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the automation-devices are a wireless protocol Zigbee, ZWave, Insteon or/and EnOcean supported devices.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein controller comprises one or more Ethernet, Wi-Fi and/or USB ports.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein protocol handler allow user to configure using the interface controller.set any available parameter to desired value, read any available status value from end sensor device or module, set event handler that should be invoked every time when specified event happened in the end sensor device or module.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller interface is configured to support two or more automation-device communication standards concurrently.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein a communication protocol standard supported by the controller interface is configured as a function of information retrieved from the central server system of automation-device information.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the automation-devices are a wireless protocol Zigbee, ZWave, Insteon or/and EnOcean supported devices.

10.The system of claim 1 , wherein controller comprises one or more Ethernet, Wi-Fi and/or USB ports.

11.The system of claim 1 , wherein protocol handler allow user to configure using the interface controller.set any available parameter to desired value, read any available status value from end sensor device or module, set event handler that should be invoked every time when specified event happened in the end sensor device or module.

12.The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller interface is configured to support two or more automation-device communication standards concurrently.

13.The system of claim 1 , wherein a communication protocol standard supported by the controller interface is configured as a function of information retrieved from the central server system of automation-device information.