WO2022058941A1 - A smart modular controller device - Google Patents

A smart modular controller device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022058941A1
WO2022058941A1 PCT/IB2021/058479 IB2021058479W WO2022058941A1 WO 2022058941 A1 WO2022058941 A1 WO 2022058941A1 IB 2021058479 W IB2021058479 W IB 2021058479W WO 2022058941 A1 WO2022058941 A1 WO 2022058941A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
controller device
modular controller
modules
smart modular
smart
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2021/058479
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Gurumoorthy B
Srikanth KANNAPAN
Adil Abdul HAMEED
Arnab BANDHU
Kamat Raunak DEEPAK
Soham Chakraborty
Original Assignee
Indian Institute Of Science
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 Indian Institute Of Science filed Critical Indian Institute Of Science
Publication of WO2022058941A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022058941A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
    • G05B19/00—Programme-control systems
    • G05B19/02—Programme-control systems electric
    • G05B19/04—Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers
    • G05B19/042—Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers using digital processors
    • G05B19/0421—Multiprocessor system

Definitions

  • a smart modular controller device A smart modular controller device
  • the present invention relates to a smart modular controller device and more particularly to a smart modular controller device that provides modularity at circuit level, module level and flexibility in communication thereby allowing mounting of devices with ease as per the requirements of the user
  • smart systems incorporate functions of sensing, actuation and control in order to describe and analyze a situation and make decisions based on the available data in an adaptive manner to perform smart actions.
  • the smart controller in an automatic irrigation system activates each valve and controls the amount of water applied to the landscape.
  • the smart controllers help to provide a healthy, beautiful landscape while reducing water use.
  • the smartness of the system can be attributed to autonomous operation based on closed loop control, energy efficiency, and networking capabilities.
  • a major challenge in smart systems technology is the integration of a multitude of diverse components, developed and produced in very different technologies and materials. Focus is on the design and manufacturing of completely new marketable products and services for specialized applications, and for mass market applications, for example, in the automotive industries. Thus, there exists a need of the smart systems that allows mounting of devices with the modular controller device with ease as per the requirements of the user.
  • the present invention relates to a smart modular controller device.
  • the smart modular controller device provides modularity at circuit level and module level.
  • the smart modular controller device comprises a control board and a base circuit.
  • the base circuit is atleast one of a sensing circuit, an actuation circuit or a HMI circuit.
  • the control board when the control board is mounted onto the base circuit, the control board auto recognizes the type and configuration of the base circuit and selects the relevant firmware mode of operation for quicker customization at individual module assembly.
  • each individual module in the module assembly is packaged in an Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) casing and is mounted on a DIN rail.
  • ABS Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
  • the modules are stacked on a DIN rail and when the modules are mounted and pushed onto the existing stack, the serial connectors on the adjacent faces on the modules make contact and connectivity is established between the whole stack in series.
  • a master device is stacked to the modules, or the stacked modules is connected to a larger distributed control system.
  • the modules communicate through wireless networks as well as wired networks.
  • the modules form a virtual stack through a wireless mesh network or a physical stack when mounted adjacent on a din rail mount.
  • the modules are able to operate in an assembled stack or independently from a remote location.
  • the modules also connect to cellular networks through wireless connectivity for access to cloud based services.
  • the modules senses the type of connection automatically and sets the firmware in the appropriate communication mode.
  • the smart modular controller device is configured for a control system for process control, material handling, polyhouse and agricultural automation.
  • the smart modular controller device can be configured to work with a cloud based system.
  • the control actions of the smart modular controller device are adjusted based on the pre-processed sensor data present in a cloud based system predicted using artificial intelligence/machine learning techniques.
  • the smart modular controller device provides modularity at circuit level, module level and flexibility in communication thereby allowing mounting of devices with ease as per the requirements of the user.
  • FIG 1 illustrates a block diagram of a smart modular controller device, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG 2 illustrates a perspective view of a module assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG 2a illustrates a block diagram of the module assembly establishing serial communication with each other, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG 3 is a block diagram illustrating the connectivity between various modules, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG 4 is a block diagram illustrating the connectivity between the smart modular controller device and the cloud based system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the present invention relates to a smart modular controller device. More particularly, the invention relates to a device which provides customizable solutions for different operations of sensors, actuators and application requirements.
  • the present invention providing a smart modular controller device.
  • the smart modular controller device includes hardware and software architecture which is used for control of material handling equipment, agricultural equipment, special purpose machines and other equipment.
  • the hardware architecture has a customized single board computer which carries various functions such as data input, process of the data as per the instruction stored in the memory, microprocessor, additional boards for wireless communications and optical isolation of power electronics from control signals. High speed data buses are used for providing a fast system response.
  • the software architecture is designed to carry multiple instructions and provides flexibility in defining flow of data. Further, the different control flows and laws required for different applications are made flexible in order to perform special operations.
  • the present invention provides a customizable solution for products which are capable of receiving both analog and digital inputs.
  • the input signals are received from different sensors used in the system.
  • the smart modular controller platform takes in the input fed by the user and processes with the stored preferences and input sensors after the execution of specialized algorithm from the sensor that carries both analog and digital signals.
  • the processed signals are then fed to actuators including motors to perform various controlled operations for special purpose machines, material handling equipment and other equipment.
  • the smart modular controller device is used to perform multiple operations as per the command fed to the system. By the use of input obtained from sensors and data stored in the system, it controls the operation of different actuators. Further, the smart modular controller helps in controlling of actuators and motors for industrial and consumer products.
  • FIG 1 illustrates a block diagram of a smart modular controller device, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the smart modular controller device (100) comprises a control board (101) and a base circuit (102).
  • control board (102) is atleast one of a sensing circuit, an actuation circuit or a HMI circuit.
  • the control board (101) when the control board (101) is mounted onto the base circuit (102), the control board (101) auto recognizes the type and configuration of the base circuit (102) and selects the relevant firmware mode of operation for quicker customization at individual module assembly (103).
  • each individual module (103a) in the module assembly is identical to each individual module (103a) in the module assembly
  • a master device (103b) is stacked to the stacked modules (103), or the stacked modules (103) is connected to a larger distributed control system (as exemplarily illustrated in FIG 2).
  • FIG 3 is a block diagram illustrating the connectivity between various modules, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the modules (103a) communicate through wireless networks as well as wired networks.
  • the modules (103a) are able to operate in an assembled stack or independently from a remote location.
  • the modules (103a) senses the type of connection automatically and sets the firmware in the appropriate communication mode.
  • the modules (103a) form a virtual stack through a wireless mesh network or a physical stack (as exemplarily illustrated in FIG 2) when mounted adjacent on a din rail mount.
  • the modules (103a) also connect to cellular networks through wireless connectivity for access to cloud based services.
  • the smart modular controller device (100) is configured for process control, material handling, polyhouse and agricultural automation.
  • FIG 4 is a block diagram illustrating the connectivity between the smart modular controller device and the cloud based system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the smart modular controller device (100) can be configured to work with a cloud based system (104).
  • the control actions of the smart modular controller device (100) are adjusted based on the pre- processed sensor data present in a cloud based system (104) predicted using artificial intelligence/machine learning techniques (105).
  • the artificial intelligence/machine learning techniques (105) uses the stored sensor data present in a sensor database (106) to predict the pre-processed sensor data.
  • the smart modular controller device (100) controls the other system (107) using the predicted pre-processed sensor data to provide higher degree of automation.
  • the smart modular controller device (100) provides modularity at circuit level, module level and flexibility in communication thereby allowing mounting of devices with the modular controller device (100) with ease as per the requirements of the user.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Programmable Controllers (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention provides a smart modular controller device. The smart modular controller device comprises a control board and a base circuit. Here, when the control board is mounted onto the base circuit, the control board auto recognizes the type and configuration of the base circuit and selects the relevant firmware mode of operation for quicker customization at individual module assembly. Each individual module is packaged in a casing and is mounted on a DIN rail. Further, the modules are stacked on a DIN rail and when the modules are mounted and pushed onto the existing stack, the serial connectors on the adjacent faces on the modules make contact and connectivity is established between the whole stack in series.

Description

A smart modular controller device
PRIORITY CLAIM:
[0001] This application claims priority from the provisional application numbered 202041040382 filed with Indian Patent Office, Chennai on 17th September 2020 titled “A smart modular controller device”, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Technical field of the invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a smart modular controller device and more particularly to a smart modular controller device that provides modularity at circuit level, module level and flexibility in communication thereby allowing mounting of devices with ease as per the requirements of the user
Background of the invention:
[0003] In general, smart systems incorporate functions of sensing, actuation and control in order to describe and analyze a situation and make decisions based on the available data in an adaptive manner to perform smart actions. For example, the smart controller in an automatic irrigation system activates each valve and controls the amount of water applied to the landscape. Thus, the smart controllers help to provide a healthy, beautiful landscape while reducing water use. Further, in most cases the smartness of the system can be attributed to autonomous operation based on closed loop control, energy efficiency, and networking capabilities.
[0004] A major challenge in smart systems technology is the integration of a multitude of diverse components, developed and produced in very different technologies and materials. Focus is on the design and manufacturing of completely new marketable products and services for specialized applications, and for mass market applications, for example, in the automotive industries. Thus, there exists a need of the smart systems that allows mounting of devices with the modular controller device with ease as per the requirements of the user.
[0005] Thus, there exists a need of smart systems that facilitates modularity thereby allowing mounting of devices with ease as per the requirements of the user.
Summary of the invention:
[0006] The present invention relates to a smart modular controller device. The smart modular controller device provides modularity at circuit level and module level. The smart modular controller device comprises a control board and a base circuit. The base circuit is atleast one of a sensing circuit, an actuation circuit or a HMI circuit. Here, when the control board is mounted onto the base circuit, the control board auto recognizes the type and configuration of the base circuit and selects the relevant firmware mode of operation for quicker customization at individual module assembly. In an embodiment, each individual module in the module assembly is packaged in an Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) casing and is mounted on a DIN rail. Here, the modules are stacked on a DIN rail and when the modules are mounted and pushed onto the existing stack, the serial connectors on the adjacent faces on the modules make contact and connectivity is established between the whole stack in series. A master device is stacked to the modules, or the stacked modules is connected to a larger distributed control system.
[0007] In an embodiment, the modules communicate through wireless networks as well as wired networks. Thus, the modules form a virtual stack through a wireless mesh network or a physical stack when mounted adjacent on a din rail mount. Thus, the modules are able to operate in an assembled stack or independently from a remote location. In an embodiment, the modules also connect to cellular networks through wireless connectivity for access to cloud based services. The modules senses the type of connection automatically and sets the firmware in the appropriate communication mode. [0008] In an embodiment, the smart modular controller device is configured for a control system for process control, material handling, polyhouse and agricultural automation.
[0009] In an embodiment, the smart modular controller device can be configured to work with a cloud based system. Here, the control actions of the smart modular controller device are adjusted based on the pre-processed sensor data present in a cloud based system predicted using artificial intelligence/machine learning techniques.
[0010] Thus, the smart modular controller device provides modularity at circuit level, module level and flexibility in communication thereby allowing mounting of devices with ease as per the requirements of the user.
Brief description of the drawings
[0011] FIG 1 illustrates a block diagram of a smart modular controller device, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG 2 illustrates a perspective view of a module assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG 2a illustrates a block diagram of the module assembly establishing serial communication with each other, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG 3 is a block diagram illustrating the connectivity between various modules, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG 4 is a block diagram illustrating the connectivity between the smart modular controller device and the cloud based system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed description of the invention [0016] The present invention relates to a smart modular controller device. More particularly, the invention relates to a device which provides customizable solutions for different operations of sensors, actuators and application requirements.
[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not a limitation. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention.
[0018] The present invention providing a smart modular controller device. The smart modular controller device includes hardware and software architecture which is used for control of material handling equipment, agricultural equipment, special purpose machines and other equipment. The hardware architecture has a customized single board computer which carries various functions such as data input, process of the data as per the instruction stored in the memory, microprocessor, additional boards for wireless communications and optical isolation of power electronics from control signals. High speed data buses are used for providing a fast system response.
[0019] The software architecture is designed to carry multiple instructions and provides flexibility in defining flow of data. Further, the different control flows and laws required for different applications are made flexible in order to perform special operations.
[0020] The present invention provides a customizable solution for products which are capable of receiving both analog and digital inputs. The input signals are received from different sensors used in the system. The smart modular controller platform takes in the input fed by the user and processes with the stored preferences and input sensors after the execution of specialized algorithm from the sensor that carries both analog and digital signals. The processed signals are then fed to actuators including motors to perform various controlled operations for special purpose machines, material handling equipment and other equipment. [0021] Thus, the advantage of the present invention that the smart modular controller device is used to perform multiple operations as per the command fed to the system. By the use of input obtained from sensors and data stored in the system, it controls the operation of different actuators. Further, the smart modular controller helps in controlling of actuators and motors for industrial and consumer products.
[0022] FIG 1 illustrates a block diagram of a smart modular controller device, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] As exemplarily illustrated in FIG 1, the smart modular controller device (100) comprises a control board (101) and a base circuit (102). The base circuit
(102) is atleast one of a sensing circuit, an actuation circuit or a HMI circuit. Here, when the control board (101) is mounted onto the base circuit (102), the control board (101) auto recognizes the type and configuration of the base circuit (102) and selects the relevant firmware mode of operation for quicker customization at individual module assembly (103).
[0024] In an embodiment, each individual module (103a) in the module assembly
(103) is packaged in an Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) casing and is mounted on a DIN rail (as exemplarily illustrated in FIG 2). Here, the modules (103a) are stacked on a DIN rail and when the modules (103a) are mounted and pushed onto the existing stack, the serial connectors on the adjacent faces on the modules (103a) make contact and connectivity is established between the whole stack in series (as exemplarily illustrated in FIG 2a). A master device (103b) is stacked to the stacked modules (103), or the stacked modules (103) is connected to a larger distributed control system (as exemplarily illustrated in FIG 2).
[0025] FIG 3 is a block diagram illustrating the connectivity between various modules, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] As exemplarily illustrated in FIG 3, the modules (103a) communicate through wireless networks as well as wired networks. Thus, the modules (103a) are able to operate in an assembled stack or independently from a remote location. The modules (103a) senses the type of connection automatically and sets the firmware in the appropriate communication mode. The modules (103a) form a virtual stack through a wireless mesh network or a physical stack (as exemplarily illustrated in FIG 2) when mounted adjacent on a din rail mount. In an embodiment, the modules (103a) also connect to cellular networks through wireless connectivity for access to cloud based services. In an embodiment, the smart modular controller device (100) is configured for process control, material handling, polyhouse and agricultural automation.
[0027] FIG 4 is a block diagram illustrating the connectivity between the smart modular controller device and the cloud based system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] As exemplarily illustrated in FIG 4, the smart modular controller device (100) can be configured to work with a cloud based system (104). Here, the control actions of the smart modular controller device (100) are adjusted based on the pre- processed sensor data present in a cloud based system (104) predicted using artificial intelligence/machine learning techniques (105). Here, the artificial intelligence/machine learning techniques (105) uses the stored sensor data present in a sensor database (106) to predict the pre-processed sensor data. Thus, the smart modular controller device (100) controls the other system (107) using the predicted pre-processed sensor data to provide higher degree of automation.
[0029] Thus, the smart modular controller device (100) provides modularity at circuit level, module level and flexibility in communication thereby allowing mounting of devices with the modular controller device (100) with ease as per the requirements of the user.
[0030] The description of the present system has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

8
Claims:
We Claim:
1. A smart modular controller device (100) characterized in that the smart modular controller device (100) provides modularity at circuit level and module level, the smart modular controller device (100) comprises: a) a control board (101) and a base circuit (102), wherein when the control board (101) is mounted onto the base circuit (102), the control board (101) auto recognizes the type and configuration of the base circuit (102) and selects the relevant firmware mode of operation for quicker customization at individual module assembly (103); b) each individual module (103a) in the module assembly (103) is packaged in a casing and is mounted on a DIN rail, wherein the modules (103a) are stacked on a DIN rail and when the modules (103a) are mounted and pushed onto the existing stack, the serial connectors on the adjacent faces on the modules (103a) make contact and connectivity is established between the whole stack in series, wherein a master device (103b) is stacked to the stacked modules (103), or the stacked modules (103) is connected to a larger distributed control system; and c) the modules (103a) communicate through wireless networks as well as wired networks, wherein the modules (103a) form a virtual stack through a wireless mesh network or a physical stack when mounted adjacent on a din rail mount.
2. The smart modular controller device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base circuit (102) is atleast one of a sensing circuit, an actuation circuit or a HMI circuit. The smart modular controller device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smart modular controller device (100) is configured for process control, material handling, poly house and agricultural automation. The smart modular controller device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control actions of the smart modular controller device (100) are adjusted based on the pre-processed sensor data present in a cloud based system
(105) predicted using artificial intelligence/machine learning techniques
(106). The smart modular controller device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smart modular controller (100) takes in the input fed by the user and processes with the stored preferences and input sensors after the execution of specialized algorithm from the sensor that carries both analog and digital signals, the processed signals are then fed to actuators including motors to perform various controlled operations for special purpose machines, and material handling equipment. The smart modular controller device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smart modular controller device (100) has a customized single board computer which carries various functions such as data input, process of the data as per the instruction stored in the memory, microprocessor, additional boards for wireless communications and optical isolation of power electronics from control signals.
PCT/IB2021/058479 2020-09-17 2021-09-17 A smart modular controller device WO2022058941A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IN202041040382 2020-09-17
IN202041040382 2020-09-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2022058941A1 true WO2022058941A1 (en) 2022-03-24

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PCT/IB2021/058479 WO2022058941A1 (en) 2020-09-17 2021-09-17 A smart modular controller device

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050038529A1 (en) * 2002-10-15 2005-02-17 Sergio Perez Open architecture modularity for irrigation controllers
US20180228098A1 (en) * 2002-10-15 2018-08-16 Rain Bird Corporation Modular and expandable irrigation controller

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050038529A1 (en) * 2002-10-15 2005-02-17 Sergio Perez Open architecture modularity for irrigation controllers
US20180228098A1 (en) * 2002-10-15 2018-08-16 Rain Bird Corporation Modular and expandable irrigation controller

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