U.S. patent application number 12/537772 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-18 for method and system for remote wireless monitoring and control of climate in greenhouses.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kodalfa Bilgi ve Iletisim Teknolojileri San. Tic. A.S.. Invention is credited to Bulut F. Ersavas.
Application Number | 20100038440 12/537772 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41495413 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100038440 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ersavas; Bulut F. |
February 18, 2010 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REMOTE WIRELESS MONITORING AND CONTROL OF
CLIMATE IN GREENHOUSES
Abstract
A remote wireless climate monitoring and control system for a
greenhouse is provided. The system includes a wireless sensor
network including a plurality of sensor nodes for monitoring
climate conditions in the greenhouse and controlling one or more
climate control systems. The system also includes a server computer
system located remotely from the greenhouse. The server computer
system is coupled to the wireless sensor network over a
communications network for receiving data from and controlling
operation of the sensor nodes. The server computer system is also
coupled to a device operated by an end-user over a communications
network for transmitting the data to and receiving remote control
commands or queries from the end-user.
Inventors: |
Ersavas; Bulut F.;
(Istanbul, TR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY HOAG, LLP;PATENT GROUP, WORLD TRADE CENTER WEST
155 SEAPORT BLVD
BOSTON
MA
02110
US
|
Assignee: |
Kodalfa Bilgi ve Iletisim
Teknolojileri San. Tic. A.S.
|
Family ID: |
41495413 |
Appl. No.: |
12/537772 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
236/51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05D 7/0617 20130101;
H04L 67/10 20130101; B05B 12/04 20130101; G05B 2219/2625 20130101;
A01G 25/167 20130101; A01G 2/00 20180201; H04W 4/70 20180201; A01G
25/023 20130101; A01G 25/16 20130101; G05B 19/042 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
236/51 |
International
Class: |
G05D 23/00 20060101
G05D023/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 12, 2008 |
TR |
2008/05998 |
Feb 5, 2009 |
TR |
2009/00883 |
Claims
1. A remote wireless climate monitoring and control system for a
greenhouse, comprising: a wireless sensor network comprising a
plurality of sensor nodes for monitoring climate conditions in the
greenhouse and controlling one or more climate control systems; and
a server computer system located remotely from the greenhouse, said
server computer system coupled to the wireless sensor network over
a communications network for receiving data from and controlling
operation of the sensor nodes, said server computer system also
coupled to a device operated by an end-user over a communications
network for transmitting the data to and receiving remote control
commands or queries from the end-user.
2. The remote wireless climate monitoring and control system of
claim 1, wherein the wireless sensor network further comprises a
base station for transferring data between the plurality of sensor
nodes and the server computer system.
3. The remote wireless climate monitoring and control system of
claim 2, wherein said base station disseminates control commands
from the server computer system to the sensor nodes.
4. The remote wireless climate monitoring and control system of
claim 1, wherein the server computer system communicates with the
wireless sensor network through the Internet or a cellular
network.
5. The remote wireless climate monitoring and control system of
claim 1, wherein the server computer system transmits measurements
from sensor networks to end users via the Internet or a cellular
network.
6. The remote wireless climate monitoring and control system of
claim 1, wherein the server computer system responds to queries
from the end-user with short text messages (SMS), web pages, or
screens to be displayed on a cell phone application.
7. The remote wireless climate monitoring and control system of
claim 1, wherein the climate control systems comprise vents, fans,
heating units, heat curtains, shade curtains, misting units, or
cooling pads.
8. The remote wireless climate monitoring and control system of
claim 1, wherein the sensor nodes form an ad-hoc dynamic wireless
sensor network, and wherein each sensor node sends collected
climate measurements to a base communication node by relaying data
through a neighbor sensor node, and wherein the sensor node
identifies the neighbor sensor node by determining which node can
be used to establish the highest quality data transfer link.
9. The remote wireless climate monitoring and control system of
claim 8, wherein the neighbor sensor node having the best quality
link comprises a parent node that is used as a bridge for sending
data to the base communication node.
10. The remote wireless climate monitoring and control system of
claim 1, wherein the sensor nodes take measurements of
environmental climate parameters including temperature, humidity,
and lighting conditions at given periods, and compare the
measurements against control conditions received by the sensor
nodes and stored in an internal memory.
11. The remote wireless climate monitoring and control system of
claim 1, wherein the communications network for transferring data
between the wireless sensor network and the server computer system
comprises a GPRS network, an Edge network, a 3G network, a UMTS
network, a cellular network, a wireless broadband data
communication service, or WiMAX.
12. The remote wireless climate monitoring and control system of
claim 1, further comprises a web based application or a cell phone
application for providing an interface for monitoring data from the
wireless sensor network and transmitting commands to the central
computer server.
13. A method of monitoring and controlling climate conditions in a
greenhouse, comprising: communicating with a wireless sensor
network installed in the greenhouse over a communications network,
said wireless sensor network comprising a plurality of sensor nodes
for monitoring climate conditions in the greenhouse and controlling
one or more climate control systems, wherein communicating with the
wireless sensor network comprises receiving data from and
controlling operation of the sensor nodes; and communicating with a
device operated by an end-user over a communications network for
transmitting the data to and receiving remote control commands or
queries from the end-user.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein communicating with the wireless
sensor network comprises communicating via the Internet or a
cellular network.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the server computer system
wherein communicating with the device comprises communicating via
the Internet or a cellular network.
16. The method of claim 13, further comprising responding to
queries from the end-user with short text messages (SMS), web
pages, or screens to be displayed on a cell phone application.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein communicating with the wireless
sensor network comprises communicating using a GPRS network, an
Edge network, a 3G network, a UMTS network, a cellular network, a
wireless broadband data communication service, or WiMAX.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This application claims priority from Turkish Patent
Application No. 2008/05998, filed on Aug. 12, 2008, entitled REMOTE
WIRELESS CLIMATE MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR GREENHOUSES, and
Turkish Patent Application No. 2009/00883, filed on Feb. 5, 2009,
entitled REMOTE WIRELESS CLIMATE MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR
GREENHOUSES, both of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0002] The present invention relates generally to climate
monitoring and control systems that monitor and control the climate
(temperature, humidity, lighting, etc.) within greenhouses.
[0003] Existing greenhouse climate monitoring and control systems
are generally formed by wired or simple wireless sensors. With
existing wired systems, measurements taken by sensors are
transferred thorough wires typically to a computer or programmable
logic controller (PLC) circuitry within the greenhouse. Collected
measurements can be monitored and climate control systems in the
greenhouse can be managed through computer software provided to the
end user or through management panels. In existing systems, sensor
nodes are typically only used to collect measurements, and not to
directly activate control mechanisms. Control is instead performed
by the computer or a controller device in the greenhouse.
[0004] Remote management for existing systems is possible by
connecting these computers to the Internet through modems.
[0005] For newer greenhouses where wired solutions are preferred,
cable and installation costs can be significantly more expensive
than the cost of sensors. In addition, cables coming from tens of
sensors and passing through the plants could obstruct greenhouse
production and cause disconnections in the sensor network.
[0006] In existing wired systems, sensors cannot easily be
relocated within the greenhouse after being fixed to a certain
location with the wiring. Moreover, because of the difficulties of
installation and cost, only a limited number of sensors are often
installed. This restricts the flexibility and the scalability of
the system, and the ability to use collected measurements to
correct each other. Moreover, these systems are typically
unsuitable for micro-climate management.
[0007] As for the existing wireless solutions, because they
generally use a single-hop architecture, they can experience
significant scalability and reliability problems especially when
managing large areas. In addition, many existing applications fail
to provide efficient micro-climate management. Similarly, in
existing wireless systems, a local computer or a management console
is needed in the greenhouse or somewhere close by.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention,
a remote wireless climate monitoring and control system for a
greenhouse is provided. The system includes a wireless sensor
network comprising a plurality of sensor nodes for monitoring
climate conditions in the greenhouse and controlling one or more
climate control systems. The system also includes a server computer
system located remotely from the greenhouse. The server computer
system is coupled to the wireless sensor network over a
communications network for receiving data from and controlling
operation of the sensor nodes. The server computer system is also
coupled to a device such as a cell phone or a personal computer
operated by an end-user over a communications network for
transmitting the data to and receiving remote control commands or
queries from the end-user.
[0009] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention,
a method of monitoring and controlling climate conditions in a
greenhouse is provided. The method includes communicating with a
wireless sensor network installed in the greenhouse over a
communications network. The wireless sensor network comprises a
plurality of sensor nodes for monitoring climate conditions in the
greenhouse and controlling one or more climate control systems.
Communicating with the wireless sensor network comprises receiving
data from and controlling operation of the sensor nodes. The method
also includes a step of communicating with a device such as a cell
phone a personal computer operated by an end-user over a
communications network for transmitting the data to and receiving
remote control commands or queries from the end-user.
[0010] Various embodiments of the invention are provided in the
following detailed description. As will be realized, the invention
is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several
details may be capable of modifications in various respects, all
without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and
description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not in
a restrictive or limiting sense, with the scope of the application
being indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a remote wireless
climate monitoring and control system in accordance with one or
more embodiments of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wireless sensor
network in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a data collection and
alarm message transfer process flow in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a data query process in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control condition
dissemination process in accordance with one or more embodiments of
the invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control mechanism
execution process in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] A remote wireless climate monitoring and control system in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention provides
significantly improved scalability and reliability because
information is transferred from sensor node to node and then to a
central server computer system, and the wireless sensor network can
reconfigure itself dynamically.
[0018] Furthermore, in a system in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the invention, wireless sensor networks are used to
collect climate data and to control the climate. This system offers
numerous advantages including wireless installation, flexibility,
and scalability. Since additional sensor units can be easily and
cost effectively implemented, there is improved accuracy on
measurements, and micro-climate management is possible. Due to
micro-climatization, growth of small plant groups can be monitored
and surrounding conditions can be adjusted accordingly.
[0019] In a wireless climate monitoring and control system in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention, climate
parameters (temperature, light, humidity etc.) measured by the
sensors within the greenhouse are stored in a server computer at a
remote central location. Management and data storage on a central
server as described herein reduces costs for the end users and
makes the installation and remote management of the climate
monitoring and control system easier. Remote control commands or
control condition set values sent through the central server (from
a cell phone or any computer on the Internet) are transmitted to
wireless sensor nodes in the greenhouse, allowing manual and/or
automatic control functionality.
[0020] In a system in accordance with one or more embodiments of
the invention, data is transmitted from the sensor network to the
main server computer through cellular networks or using broadband
communication technology. In this manner, data coming from multiple
sensor networks (or greenhouses) is consolidated and stored in a
central computer server and then monitored/managed remotely through
web, cell phone, or text message (SMS) applications.
[0021] A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
invention allows monitoring climate conditions (temperature,
humidity, light etc.) and controlling climate control systems
inside the network by sensor nodes. In addition, it addresses how
data collected by multiple sensor networks are stored in a central
server and how control commands passing through this server are
processed to manage the climate.
[0022] In a system in accordance with one or more embodiments of
the invention, data is transferred from sensor networks to the
central server through a cellular network or a wireless broadband
communications technology. Data coming from a plurality of
greenhouses (local sensor networks) are consolidated and stored in
the central computer server. Climate measurements taken are
provided to the end users through web, cell phone, and/or text
message (SMS) applications. Moreover, the system enables remote
control commands to be sent to the greenhouse.
[0023] In a system in accordance with one or more embodiments of
the invention, climate parameters (temperature, humidity, light
etc.) can be continuously monitored and, for undesired values,
automatic preventive actions can be taken before the products are
harmed. For example, when sensors detect excessive light, actuators
can trigger the motors controlling shading curtains to close. When
the temperature is too high, vents can be automatically opened and
if necessary irrigation system can be activated. Also, for any
readings beyond pre-defined thresholds, the end user is notified,
e.g., by a short message (SMS, MMS, etc.) to his or her cell phone
or via e-mail.
[0024] Systems in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
invention can be easily installed in greenhouses due use of
wireless and battery powered components. This reduces wiring costs
and pollution. At the same time, since no computer system is
installed within the greenhouse, the total system cost is reduced
and maintenance is made easier.
[0025] In order to increase productivity in greenhouses, prevent
losses occurring because of frost and various diseases, and to
improve quality, a controlled production environment is a needed.
One important element of building such an environment is an
automation system. Due to automation systems, the climate within
the greenhouse can be kept at generally ideal conditions for the
plants, thereby achieving generally maximum production performance.
Systems in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention
make greenhouse automation affordable, easy to use, and provide
flexibility of use.
[0026] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention,
nodes of the wireless sensor network setup in the greenhouse are
generally operated in sleep mode to reduce battery consumption.
Sensor nodes wake up at certain time periods and listen to the
signals to see if there is any data sent to them. If there is a
signal with data addressed to them, they process the data or
forward it to another node and then go to a sleep mode again by
turning off their RF transmitter and receiver. Likewise, in certain
periods, they take measurements and send it to either the main
gateway (base station) or to the neighbor node with best data link
quality. They then go back to a sleep mode after the transmission.
A multi-hop structure used in the sensor network increases the
energy efficiency by keeping the RF signal power at lower levels.
In addition to increasing energy efficiency by sending the data
through other nodes across short distances, sensor nodes can easily
extend the total coverage area with this structure.
[0027] Remote wireless climate monitoring and control systems in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention thus provide a
number of advantages. The systems provide improved scalability and
reliability. The systems enable usage of significantly larger
number of sensor units. The systems achieve high accuracy and
micro-climatization. The systems enable monitoring small plant
groups and controlling the environment accordingly. The systems
enable remote management of climate monitoring and control system
through Internet, cellular phone and/or SMS applications. The
systems reduce system and management costs for the end user. The
systems consolidate and store measurements coming from multiple
sensor networks (at respective greenhouses) on a central computer
server. These systems sense climate conditions (temperature,
humidity, light etc.) and to control climate systems in the network
with the sensor nodes. The systems enable wireless communication,
monitoring, and management from far distances. The systems enable
the usage of a multi-hop dynamic network structure. The systems
enable remote monitoring and control of wireless sensor networks
setup in greenhouses via a central computer server. The systems
reduce cable pollution and installation difficulties. The systems
provide capabilities to automatically prevent damages to plants
from undesired climate values (temperature, humidity, light etc.).
The systems increase productivity in greenhouses. The systems
prevent losses due to frost and various diseases. The systems
create a controlled production environment in order to increase
product quality. The systems achieve significantly improved
production performance.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates the architecture of a remote wireless
climate monitoring and control system for a greenhouse 10 in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. The
system includes a wireless sensor network 12 having a plurality of
sensor nodes S1-S16 installed in the greenhouse 10. FIG. 2
schematically illustrates an exemplary wireless sensor network. The
sensor nodes S1-S16 form an ad-hoc (i.e., dynamic) wireless sensor
network and monitor climate conditions and collect measurements.
The sensor nodes S1-S16 send these measurements to a central
computer server 14 through a communications network 16 such as a
cellular network 16 (e.g., GPRS, Edge, UMTS etc.) or a wireless
wideband network (e.g., WiMAX).
[0029] The central computer server 14 receives measurements and
other data from a plurality of greenhouses. The measurements/data
collected from member greenhouses are stored in a database on the
central server 14. End users can access collected data over a web
page on a device 18 such as a personal computer over the Internet
22 or through a cell phone application 20. The end users can use
the same applications to send commands to the sensor nodes S1-S16
to trigger actuators for climate control systems (e.g., heating,
ventilation, misting units etc.) and provide manual and/or
automatic remote control capability.
[0030] The sensor nodes S1-S16 installed inside the greenhouse 10
transfer the data they collect to a main gateway/base communication
node 24 by relaying the data through other sensor nodes S1-S16
known as neighbor nodes. The sensor nodes S1-S16 identify their
neighbor nodes based on signal quality. In particular, the sensor
nodes S1-S16 identify nodes that provide the best quality data
transfer link and transfer data through the neighbor with which the
best quality data transfer link can be established. The neighbor
node, which is used as a bridge, is called parent node. For
example, as shown in FIG. 2, any node that receives data from
another node is a parent node. For example, node S13 is the parent
of node S16, and node S10 is the parent of node S13.
[0031] If there is a communication problem between a sensor node
and its parent, the sensor node starts to use one of its other
neighbors as its parent node. In this way, the sensor network 12
reconfigures or heals itself dynamically. Hence sensor nodes S1-S16
can easily be relocated to different spots in the greenhouse.
[0032] End users can operate devices such as a cell phone 20 having
a cell phone application or short text message communication
application or a personal computer having a web application to
facilitate communication with the central server 14 and retrieve
information from the central greenhouse information and measurement
database.
[0033] The wireless sensor network 12 includes a plurality of
sensor nodes S1-S16, which have sensing (e.g., temperature,
lighting, humidity etc.), processing and communication capabilities
and can be battery operated. The network 12 is generally used to
monitor the environment and interact with the physical world.
[0034] The wireless sensor network 12 also includes a main
gateway/base communication (root/sink) node 24, which is the main
communication device where all data is collected and from which the
data is transferred to the central computer server 14.
[0035] The central server or main computer 14 collects data from
all member sensor networks. The central computer also distributes
various data to member sensor networks. A software program that
collects and processes data through Internet protocols such as TCP
or UDP, and a database runs on this computer.
[0036] The climate in the greenhouse is monitored and controlled by
using wireless sensor and control nodes S1-S16. Sensor nodes S1-S16
form an ad-hoc (dynamic) network as soon as they are installed in
the greenhouse. Sensor nodes share collected sensor information
(temperature, humidity, light, soil humidity, EC, PH, and CO2 etc)
with each other and transmit to main gateway 24.
[0037] Communication between the wireless sensor network 12 in the
greenhouse and the central server 14 is established by using, e.g.,
GPRS, Edge, 3G, UMTS or similar technologies over cellular network
16 or a wireless broadband data communication service such as
WiMAX. Main gateway device 24 includes hardware for communicating
with the wireless sensor network 12 in the greenhouse and the
cellular network 16.
[0038] Data coming over the cellular network 16 is collected and
transferred to central server 14 using the Internet 22 by using
Internet protocols such as TCP and/or UDP by the cell phone
operator.
[0039] The central main server 14 is the central computer system
where measurement data from greenhouses is collected and served to
end users through the Internet 22 or by cell phone 20. At the same
time, end users initially transfer the queries they will be sending
to greenhouses or system parameters like control conditions to the
main server 14. Main computer server 14 transfers this information
to the network inside the greenhouse through channels as described
below in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0040] The system provides network management and monitoring
capability through cell phones 20. End users can query the sensor
readings inside the network by sending short text messages (SMS) or
by using a client application installed on their cell phone 20. At
the same time, end users can activate various climate control
systems such as heating, ventilation, or misting through their cell
phones 20 and ask for text message alerts to be delivered to their
cell phones 20.
[0041] The system also provides network management and monitoring
capability through a web enabled device 18. Data collected on
sensor networks 12 is stored in a central database. Using a web
application, this data is processed and served to the customer. At
the same time, commands can be sent to nodes S1-S16 in the network
12 through this web application 18. Access to web application 18 is
restricted to end users or other users who are authorized by the
owner.
[0042] One or more embodiments of the invention are directed to
setting up a wireless sensor network 12 inside a greenhouse and
sensor node features and placement techniques.
[0043] Wireless sensor nodes S1-S16 can be placed with a distance
of 30 m to 200 m between each other. Depending on the structure of
the greenhouse, the construction type/material or the type of the
product produced, this distance can be shorter or longer. If nodes
see each other, this helps them to get better quality signals.
Placement of sensor nodes in the greenhouse can be adjusted by
looking at the signal link quality between nodes and parent
information for each node by using the web application 18. If there
is no sensor measurement flow from one node to the other, this may
indicate that the nodes are not within each others coverage areas.
When this is the case, the node outside coverage area of the other
should be moved closer. Sensor nodes can easily be fixed to poles
in the greenhouse using, e.g., double sided tape or cable ties.
[0044] Wireless sensor nodes with integrated dry contacts (relays)
can be tied to climate control systems operating with electricity
such as vents, fans, heating, heat curtains, shade curtains,
misting, cooling pads, or alarm bell to provide control
capability.
[0045] The remote wireless climate monitoring and control system
developed in accordance with various embodiments of the invention
has three main process flows: (a) data collection and alarm message
transfer process, (b) data query process, and (c) control condition
dissemination and control mechanism execution process. Detailed
explanations for these processes are provided below with respect to
the flow diagrams of FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6.
[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates the data collection and alarm message
transfer process flow. Wireless sensor nodes S1-S16 are programmed
before they are installed in the greenhouse. During the
programming, each sensor node takes a unique serial id and each
greenhouse/network is assigned a unique code. The same sensor nodes
S1-S16 are also addressed with a number for easy recognition in the
greenhouse. The serial numbers used are unique and all sensor nodes
S1-S16 have different numbers from each other. However, addresses
need only be unique within the wireless sensor network 12 for a
particular greenhouse. For example, a sensor node with address 1
(one) can exist in more than one wireless sensor network 12. In
this way, during dissemination data can be sent to the right
address, and during collection the source address of the incoming
data can easily be identified.
[0047] After installation in the greenhouse, sensor nodes S1-S16
discover the closest and most reliable path to the base
communication node (root) 24 and form an ad-hoc (dynamic) network
as shown in step (A1). Those nodes which do not have a direct
communication link to the base node 24 discover routes to transfer
data through other neighboring nodes. During route selection,
signal quality and the number of nodes in the route are considered.
Sensor nodes S1-S16 periodically (at predefined intervals) measure
environmental climate conditions such as temperature, humidity, and
light as shown in step (A2). Sensor nodes S1-S16 that take
measurements transfer their data to the base node 24 according to
the route they discovered in step A1 at step (A3). Base
communication node 24 transfers the data it collects from the
network to the main server 14 through cellular network or wideband
wireless network 16 at step (A4). Data transferred from base
communication node 24 to the cellular connectivity terminal is
stored in buffer memory to protect losses against communication
failures or shortages. The main server 14 processes all the data
coming from sensor networks 12 and stores them in the database at
step (A5). A software program running on main server 14 compares
incoming data to alarm conditions at step (A6). If an alarm
situation exists, depending on the transfer medium determined at
step (A7), either an e-mail at step (A8) or a short text message
(SMS) at step (A9) is sent to the end user.
[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates the data query process flow in accordance
with one or more embodiments of the invention. The end user can
query the sensor readings from the wireless sensors in the
greenhouse via cell phone 20 or Web device 18 at step (B1). For
this process, end users can use their cell phones 20 to send short
text messages (SMS) or to query via a client application installed
on the cell phone 20 or use the web site. After receiving the
query, the main server 14 processes it to understand the content at
step (B2), and prepares the appropriate answer at step (B3).
Depending on the query method or medium, the main server 14 decides
with which of the following methods to transfer the answer in step
(B4). The main server 14 can send the answer to the end user as a
short text message (SMS) at step (B5). Alternately, the main server
14 can send the answer to the end user as a web page at step (B6).
The main server 14 can also send the answer to the end user as a
screen to be displayed on the cell phone application at step
(B7).
[0049] FIG. 5 illustrates a control condition dissemination process
flow in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.
By using the dry contact outputs on main gateway device 24 or the
sensor nodes S1-S16, climate control systems operated with
electricity, e.g., those having motors such as misting, vents,
heating, and curtains can be controlled. For automatic control,
various control conditions can be defined in the system. Climate
control systems are activated or deactivated as a result of
comparison of control conditions against the measurements taken by
the sensors local to the related device or attached to other sensor
nodes S1-S16 in the network. Control conditions can be evaluated
according to the following parameters:
[0050] (K1) Sensor Type (e.g., temperature, humidity, light):
Defines against which sensor readings the control conditions will
be compared.
[0051] (K2) Minimum Condition (Set) Value: Defines below what value
the control will be activated (start) (K4b) or deactivated (stop)
(K4a).
[0052] (K3) Maximum Condition (Set) Value: Defines above what value
the control will be activated (start) (K4a) or deactivated (stop)
(K4b)
[0053] (K4) Start Condition: (a) When the measurement is above the
maximum condition value, the control is activated (started). When
it falls below the minimum condition value, the control is
deactivated (stopped). (b) When the measurement is below the
minimum condition value, the control is activated (started). When
it goes above the max condition value, the control is deactivated
(stopped).
[0054] (K5) Work Duration: Dry contact stays active (i.e., on or
working) for this duration. If zero (0), it stays active as long as
the control condition is set.
[0055] (K6) Stall Duration: After working for work duration, dry
contact stalls (i.e., off or not working) for stall duration. If
zero (0), dry contact only works (i.e., stays active or on) for
work duration (K5) and then becomes inactive even if the control
condition is set.
[0056] (K7) Action Type: Defines what type of action to be taken if
the control condition is set. (a) Control dry contact output; (b)
Notify another sensor node.
[0057] (K8) Dry Contact No: For (K7a) case, defines which dry
contact output to be controlled.
[0058] (K9) Node Address/Number to Be Notified: For (K7b) case,
defines which sensor node to be notified if the control condition
is set.
[0059] (K10) Synchronization Status: Indicates whether the control
system will be controlled in synchronization with events and/or
measurements from other sensor nodes.
[0060] (K11) Synchronization No: If synchronization is used (K10),
related sensor nodes use the common synchronization no.
[0061] Based on the parameters described above, the control
condition is entered through the web page or cell phone 20 at step
(C1) shown in FIG. 5. The main server 14 prepares these parameters
to be transferred to the wireless sensor network 12 at step (C2).
Prepared data is transferred from main server 14 to the main
gateway device 24 through cellular network or wireless wideband
network 16 and Internet 22 at step (C3). The main gateway device 24
sends control conditions to the sensor nodes through dissemination
at step (C4). If the receiving nodes realize the condition is
addressed for themselves, they store the condition in their
internal memories and start checking them at step (C5). Related
node transfers the acknowledgement (ACK) message to the main server
14 via main gateway device 24 to indicate successful reception at
steps (C6, C7). If the main server 14 receives the acknowledgement
message, it completes the operation. Otherwise, it assumes that the
control condition has not reached to the node and retransmits it to
the network 12 at step (C8).
[0062] FIG. 6 illustrates a control mechanism execution process
flow in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
invention.
[0063] The sensor nodes which store control conditions in their
internal memory periodically take measurements to evaluate control
conditions at step (D1). If a taken measurement satisfies (sets)
control condition at step (D2, D3), the action to be taken is
checked at step (D9). If a sensor node is to be notified, a
notification is sent to the related node to tell the condition is
set at step (D10). If an internal dry contact output of the sensor
node is to be controlled then the related output is activated and
this way the connected control system is started at step (D11). If
the control condition is not set in step D3, whether the control
condition is active at that moment is checked at step (D4). If
active, whether the measurement is below the min condition value or
above the max condition value is checked at step (D5). If (K4a) is
entered in the control condition and the measurement is below min
condition value or if (K4b) is selected and the measurement is
above the max condition value process flow goes to step at step
(D6--check action to be taken). Depending on the action to be taken
at step (D6), either the sensor node entered in K9 is notified at
step (D7) or the dry contact output entered in K8 is
deactivated/cleared at step (D8).
[0064] It is to be understood that although the invention has been
described above in terms of particular embodiments, the foregoing
embodiments are provided as illustrative only, and do not limit or
define the scope of the invention. Various other embodiments,
including but not limited to the following, are also within the
scope of the claims. For example, elements and components described
herein may be further divided into additional components or joined
together to form fewer components for performing the same
functions.
[0065] Method claims set forth below having steps that are numbered
or designated by letters should not be considered to be necessarily
limited to the particular order in which the steps are recited.
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