U.S. patent application number 17/391665 was filed with the patent office on 2021-11-18 for mobile communication device and method for managing operation of a plurality of actuators.
This patent application is currently assigned to BELIMO HOLDING AG. The applicant listed for this patent is BELIMO HOLDING AG. Invention is credited to Kurt MEIER, Daniel RONER, Peter SCHMIDLIN, Marc THUILLARD.
Application Number | 20210360376 17/391665 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005753079 |
Filed Date | 2021-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210360376 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SCHMIDLIN; Peter ; et
al. |
November 18, 2021 |
MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANAGING OPERATION OF A
PLURALITY OF ACTUATORS
Abstract
A Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Cooling (HVAC)
system is provided. The system includes an actuator and a sensor
system. The actuator includes an electric motor, a controller
connected to the electric motor and a first close range radio
communication interface. The sensor system includes one or more
sensors, and a second close range radio communication interface.
The second close range radio communication interface is connected
to the one or more sensors and establishes a local wireless
communication link to the actuator via the first close range radio
communication interface, and transmits operational values measured
by the one or more sensors via the local wireless communication
link to the actuator. The controller is connected to the first
close range radio communication interface and receives the
operational values via the local wireless communication link and
controls operation of the actuator's electric motor in accordance
with the operational values.
Inventors: |
SCHMIDLIN; Peter; (Uster,
CH) ; THUILLARD; Marc; (Uetikon am See, CH) ;
MEIER; Kurt; (Wernetshausen, CH) ; RONER; Daniel;
(Uerikon ZH, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BELIMO HOLDING AG |
Hinwil |
|
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
BELIMO HOLDING AG
Hinwil
CH
|
Family ID: |
1000005753079 |
Appl. No.: |
17/391665 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16533335 |
Aug 6, 2019 |
11096029 |
|
|
17391665 |
|
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|
15039538 |
May 26, 2016 |
10419911 |
|
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PCT/EP2014/003214 |
Dec 3, 2014 |
|
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16533335 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/80 20180201; H04W
4/70 20180201; H04W 4/38 20180201; H04M 1/72415 20210101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/80 20060101
H04W004/80; H04W 4/70 20060101 H04W004/70; H04W 4/38 20060101
H04W004/38; H04M 1/72415 20060101 H04M001/72415 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 17, 2013 |
CH |
02088/13 |
Claims
1. A Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Cooling (HVAC)
system comprising an actuator and a sensor system, the actuator
comprising an electric motor, a controller connected to the
electric motor and a close range radio communication interface, and
the sensor system comprising at least one sensor, wherein the
sensor system further comprises a close range radio communication
interface; the close range radio communication interface of the
sensor system is connected to the at least one sensor and
configured to establish a local wireless communication link to the
actuator via the close range radio communication interface of the
actuator, and to transmit operational values measured by the at
least one sensor via the local wireless communication link to the
actuator; and the controller of the actuator is connected to the
close range radio communication interface of the actuator and
configured to receive the operational values from the at least one
sensor via the local wireless communication link and to control
operation of the actuator's electric motor in accordance with the
operational values received from the at least one sensor.
2. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the controller of the
actuator is configured to control operation of the actuator's
electric motor in accordance with the operational values, received
from the at least one sensor, to move an actuated part for
adjusting an opening size of an orifice to regulate flow of a
fluid.
3. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises
a controller connected to the at least one sensor and configured to
generate actuator control signals in accordance with the
operational values measured by the at least one sensor, and to
transmit the control signals via the local wireless communication
link to the actuator; and the actuator is configured to receive the
actuator control signals via the local wireless communication link
and to control operation of the electric motor in accordance with
the received actuator control signals.
4. The HVAC system of claim 3, wherein the controller of the
actuator is configured to control operation of the electric motor
in accordance with the received actuator control signals to move an
actuated part for adjusting an opening size of an orifice to
regulate flow of a fluid.
5. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises
at least one of: a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a
pressure sensor for measuring a differential pressure of a fluid, a
flow sensor for measuring a flow of a fluid, a carbon dioxide
sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, and a smoke detection sensor.
6. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a
data store accessible to the controller of the actuator and to the
close range radio communication interface of the actuator for
reading and/or writing data values.
7. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is connected to
a communication bus, and the actuator comprises a data store
accessible to the controller of the actuator and to the
communication bus for reading and/or writing data values.
8. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a
communication bus interface configured for interconnection of the
actuator via a communication bus to another actuator.
9. The HVAC system of claim 6, wherein the actuator comprises a
processor configured to control read and/or write access to the
data store.
10. The HVAC system claim 7, wherein the actuator comprises a
processor configured to control read and/or write access to the
data store, and, upon having checked a user's access credentials,
to pass on a user's access credentials to another actuator
connected to the communication bus, such as to enable the user to
access the other actuator connected to the communication bus,
without having to reenter the user's access credentials.
11. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the actuator and the sensor
system are arranged in separate housings.
12. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the close range radio
communication interface of the sensor system and the close range
radio communication interface of the actuator comprise at least one
of: a Near Field Communication (NFC) module and a Bluetooth
communication module, respectively.
13. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system is
arranged in a thermostat.
14. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system is
arranged as part of a display terminal.
15. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system and the
actuator are both 20 arranged on a particular site and in close
range radio communication, the particular site being one of: a
building, a floor in the building, a room in the building, and a
plurality of rooms in the building.
16. An antenna extension system for an actuator of a Heating,
Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Cooling (HVAC) system, the
antenna extension system comprising: a first radio communication
module, configured for near field communication (NFC) with the
actuator over a direct wireless communication link; a second radio
communication module, having a greater communication range than the
first radio communication module; and a gateway module comprising
an electronic circuit configured to interconnect the first radio
communication module and the second radio communication module, to
receive data from the actuator over the direct wireless
communication link via the first radio communication module and
transmit the data received from the actuator via the second radio
communication module to a mobile communication device, and to
receive data from the mobile communication device via the second
radio communication module and transmit the data received from the
mobile communication device via the first radio communication
module over the direct wireless communication link to the
actuator.
17. The antenna extension system of claim 16, wherein the second
radio communication module comprises at least one of: a Wireless
Local Area Network (WLAN) radio communication module and Bluetooth
radio communication module.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 16/533,335 filed Aug. 6, 2019, which is a Divisional of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/039,538 filed May 26, 2016,
which is a National Stage of International Application No.
PCT/EP2014/003214 filed Dec. 3, 2014, claiming priority based on
Swiss Patent Application No. 02088/13 filed Dec. 17, 2013, the
entire contents of each of which are herein incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a mobile communication
device and a method for managing operation of a plurality of
actuators. Specifically, the present invention relates to a mobile
communication device for data communication in a mobile radio
communication network, such as a cellular telephone network or a
wireless local area network (WLAN), and a method using the mobile
communication device for managing the operation of a plurality of
actuators.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In addition to an electric motor, actuators are typically
provided with a controller having a processing unit and a data
store for storing configuration data for operating the actuator and
for recording operation-related data by the actuator. In the field
of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Cooling (HVAC), the
electric motor is coupled to a valve or damper for controlling the
flow of a fluid such as water or air. The configuration data
includes configuration parameters such as motor speed, closing
time, opening time, etc. The operation-related data includes values
such as number of cycles, number of movements, maximum travel
angle, minimum travel angle, actuator malfunctions and error
conditions, etc. In HVAC applications, the controller is connected
to sensors such as a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, one or more
temperature sensors, a rotation sensor, a position sensor, etc.,
and the configuration data further includes configuration
parameters such as a target value of volume flow, a set value of
altitude for adjusting the measurement of a flow sensor, etc.
Moreover, a section of the data store further has stored therein
program code for controlling the processing unit. In HVAC
applications, the program code includes various control algorithms
for controlling the motor to open and close an orifice of the valve
or damper to regulate the flow of fluid, e.g. with regards to
differential pressure, room temperature, flow of energy, etc.
Although the storing of configuration data, program code, and/or
operation-related data would make possible flexible management and
operation of such actuators, the actual management of operation of
these actuators is typically not as advanced as it could be,
because the actuators are not connected (wired) to a communication
network. Thus, it would be desirable to improve the actual
management of operation of actuators, whereby the term "management
of operation" is not limited to defining the operation of
individual actuators but also includes controlling and monitoring
operation of a plurality of actuators.
[0004] US 2010/0261465 describes methods and systems for enabling
interactions between a cell phone and devices, such as a
thermostat, a parking meter, or a hotel alarm clock. According to
US 2010/0261465 the cell phone determines the identity of the
device by using the cell phone's camera to obtain identifier
information, such as a digital watermark or a bar code, by
employing WiFi (WLAN) emissions from the device, e.g. the device's
MAC identifier, by using an RFID chip, or a Bluetooth identifier
from a Bluetooth short range wireless broadcast. Based on the
identifier information, a server transmits to the cellular phone a
graphical user interface that enables the user to control the
device from the cellular phone.
[0005] US 2009/0219145 describes a device for monitoring electrical
devices in a building, such as lights, power outlets, heating
apparatus, computers, DVD players, projectors, HVAC devices such as
variable air volume devices or fan coil units, thermostats,
security system components, or other devices installed in a
building. The electrical devices have device information including
the physical location of the device with respect to the building.
The devices include a communication module for communicating the
location and power consumption via a wired or a wireless
communication network to a system controller, e.g. implemented on a
server. Some electrical devices are connected wirelessly through a
gateway node to a wired communication network.
[0006] US 2012/0178431 describes a proximity-enabled remote control
method. Devices that can be controlled remotely are tagged by
placing an NFC element physically near the device or attaching the
NFC element to the device. Depending on device identification
obtained from the NFC element, a remote control user interface is
loaded into a mobile device. Commands to control the respective
device are entered by a user through the remote control user
interface. The mobile device communicates the user commands
wirelessly to a remote computer that is remote and physically
separate from the device to be controlled. The remote computer
communicates, e.g. via the Internet, information related to the
user command to an object controller for the device. The object
controller makes the device perform an action in response to the
user command.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of this invention to provide a mobile
communication device and a method for managing operation of a
plurality of actuators, which mobile communication device and
method do not have at least some of the disadvantages of the prior
art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a mobile communication device and a method for managing,
including monitoring, operation of a plurality of actuators which
are not necessarily wired to a communication network.
[0008] According to the present invention, these objects are
achieved through the features of the independent claims. In
addition, further advantageous embodiments follow from the
dependent claims and the description.
[0009] A mobile communication device comprises a mobile radio
communication module configured for data communication in a mobile
radio communication network, such as a cellular telephone network
or a WLAN.
[0010] According to the present invention, the above-mentioned
objects are particularly achieved in that, in addition to the
mobile radio communication module, the mobile communication device
further comprises a close range radio communication module,
configured to establish a local communication link to an actuator
via a close range radio communication interface that is connected
to the actuator and located in communication range of the close
range radio communication module. The mobile communication device
further comprises a processing unit, connected to the mobile radio
communication module and the close range radio communication
module, and configured to exchange location-specific actuator data
between a data store of the actuator and with a remote data server
via the local communication link and the mobile radio communication
network, the contents of the location-specific actuator data being
dependent on identification information associated with the local
communication link to the actuator. Thus, location-specific
actuator data is defined based on a local, on-site connection
established by the mobile communication device via a close range
radio communication interface to an actuator, making it possible,
e.g. in the remote server, to identify information relevant for the
particular actuator (and thus its location) or associate actuator
information with the particular actuator (and thus its location),
respectively.
[0011] In an embodiment, the processing unit is further configured
to determine interface identification information, which identifies
the close range radio communication interface associated with the
local communication link, and to exchange the location-specific
actuator data defined by the interface identification information.
Thus, based on the local, on-site connection, it is possible to
determine location-specific actuator data relevant for or
assignable to one or more actuators, which are connected to the
close range radio communication interface identified by the
interface identification information.
[0012] In an embodiment, the processing unit is further configured
to determine actuator identification information, which identifies
the actuator associated with the local communication link, and to
exchange location-specific actuator data defined by the actuator
identification information. Thus, based on the local, on-site
connection, it is possible to determine location-specific actuator
data relevant for or assignable to the actuator which is identified
by the actuator identification information.
[0013] In another embodiment, the close range radio communication
module is further configured to establish automatically the local
communication link to the close range radio communication interface
upon the close range radio communication interface being located in
communication range of the close range radio communication
module.
[0014] In an embodiment, the processing unit is further configured
to determine actuator identification information of one or more
actuators connected to the close range radio communication
interface, to show on a display screen the actuator identification
information by displaying identification numbers of the actuators,
descriptive names of the actuators, visual representations of the
actuators, location indication of the actuators, a building or
floor plan including markings of the actuators, and/or a wiring
plan including markings of the actuators. Thus, based on the local,
on-site connection, it is possible to indicate to a user the
actuators located in the vicinity and indicate their location.
[0015] In another embodiment, the processing unit is further
configured to receive from a user selection instructions for
selecting at least one of the actuators connected to the close
range radio communication interface, and to establish the local
communication link via the close range radio communication
interface to the at least one actuator defined by the selection
instructions.
[0016] In an embodiment, the processing unit is further configured
to show a building or floor plan on a display screen, and to
indicate on the building or floor plan a particular actuator
dependent on the identification information associated with the
local communication link to the actuator. Thus, based on the local,
on-site connection, it is possible to indicate to a user the
location of an actuator in the vicinity.
[0017] In another embodiment, the processing unit is further
configured to receive from the remote data server location-specific
actuator data via the mobile radio communication network, and to
transfer the location-specific actuator data via the local
communication link to the actuator, the location-specific actuator
data including program code for the actuator, configuration
parameters for the actuator, and/or a value of altitude, e.g. an
altitude value for a flow or pressure sensor connected to the
actuator or its controller, respectively. Thus, using the local,
on-site connection, it is possible to configure and/or program an
actuator and devices connected to the actuator or its controller,
respectively.
[0018] In an embodiment, the processing unit is further configured
to retrieve the location-specific actuator data via the local
communication link from the actuator, and to transfer the
location-specific actuator data via the mobile radio communication
network to the remote data server. The location-specific actuator
data includes operation-related data recorded by the actuator
and/or configuration data stored in the actuator. The
operation-related actuator data indicates for the actuator the
number of cycles, the number of movements, the maximum travel
angle, the minimum travel angle, the current position, the maximum
position, the minimum position, current sensor values, a
combination of sensor values, the state of an energy storage
element of the actuator, the type of valve connected to the
actuator, the Kvs value of the valve, malfunction information of
the actuator and/or an altitude value stored for a flow or pressure
sensor connected to the actuator or its controller, respectively.
Thus, using the local, on-site connection, it is possible to
collect operation-related data and/or configuration data from an
actuator and devices connected to the actuator or its controller,
respectively.
[0019] In addition to the mobile communication device outlined
above, the present invention also relates to a method of managing
operation of a plurality of actuators, whereby the method
comprises: establishing a local communication link from a mobile
communication device to one of the actuators via a close range
radio communication interface that is connected to the actuator and
located in communication range of a close range radio communication
module of the mobile communication device; determining by a
processing unit of the mobile communication device identification
information associated with the local communication link; and
exchanging location-specific actuator data by the mobile
communication device between a data store of the actuator and a
remote data server via the local communication link and a mobile
radio communication network, the contents of the location-specific
actuator data being dependent on the identification information
associated with the local communication link to the actuator.
[0020] In addition to the mobile the communication device and the
method of managing operation of a plurality of actuators, the
present invention also relates to a computer program product
comprising a non-transient computer readable medium having stored
thereon computer program code. The computer program code is
configured to direct a processor of a mobile communication device,
which comprises a mobile radio communication module, connected to
the processor and configured for data communication in a mobile
radio communication network, and, in addition to the mobile radio
communication module, a close range radio communication module,
connected to the processor and configured to establish a local
communication link to an actuator via a close range radio
communication interface that is connected to the actuator and
located in communication range of the close range radio
communication module. The computer program code is configured to
direct the processor of the mobile communication device such that
the processor exchanges location-specific actuator data between a
data store of the actuator and a remote data server via the local
communication link and the mobile radio communication network, the
contents of the location-specific actuator data being dependent on
identification information associated with the local communication
link to the actuator.
[0021] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a display
terminal comprising a display screen, a communication bus interface
configured to connect the display terminal to one or more actuators
via a communication bus, a wireless communication interface
configured to exchange data with a mobile communication device, and
a processing unit connected to the communication bus interface and
the wireless communication interface, whereby the processing unit
is configured to show on the display screen identification
information, which identifies a particular actuator that is
connected to the communication bus, and to perform at least one
of:
[0022] transferring via the wireless communication interface to the
mobile communication device, while the identification information
of the particular actuator is shown on the display screen, actuator
data received from the particular actuator, and transferring
configuration data, received from the mobile communication device
while the identification information of the particular actuator is
shown on the display screen, via the communication bus to the
particular actuator.
[0023] In a variant of the further aspect, the processing unit is
further configured to show on the display screen the identification
information of a particular actuator together with an error
indication, upon receiving an error message from the particular
actuator, to extract detailed error information from the error
message, and to transfer the detailed error information to the
mobile communication device, upon detection of the mobile
communication device by the wireless communication interface while
the identification information of the particular actuator is shown
on the display screen.
[0024] In another variant of the further aspect, the processing
unit is further configured to show on the display screen the
identification information of a particular actuator, upon receiving
a selection instruction for the particular actuator, and to
transfer to the particular actuator the configuration data received
from the mobile communication device while the identification
information of the particular actuator is shown on the display
screen.
[0025] In a variant of the further aspect, the processing unit is
further configured to show on the display screen a building or
floor plan which illustrates the location of one or more actuators
that are connected to the communication bus, to receive from a user
a selection instruction for one of the locations via the wireless
communication interface or data entry elements of the display
terminal, and to show on the display screen the identification
information of the particular actuator that is located at the
selected location.
[0026] In another variant of the further aspect, the processing
unit is further configured to receive from actuators connected to
the communication bus operation-related actuator data, the
operation-related actuator data indicating for a particular
actuator the number of cycles, the number of movements, maximum
travel angle, minimum travel angle, the current position, the
maximum position, the minimum position, current sensor values, a
combination of sensor values, the state of an energy storage
element of the actuator, the type of valve connected to the
actuator, the Kvs value of the valve, and/or an altitude value
stored for a flow or pressure sensor connected to the actuator or
its controller, respectively, and to transfer the operation-related
actuator data via the wireless communication interface to the
mobile communication device.
[0027] In a variant of the further aspect, the processing unit is
further configured to receive from the mobile communication device
configuration data for the particular actuator via the wireless
communication interface, while the identification information of
the particular actuator is shown on the display screen, and to
transfer the configuration data via the communication bus to the
particular actuator, the configuration data including program code
for the actuator, configuration parameters for the actuator, and/or
a value of altitude, e.g. an altitude value for a flow or pressure
sensor connected to the actuator or its controller,
respectively.
[0028] In yet a further aspect, the invention relates to an HVAC
system that comprises an actuator and a sensor system. The actuator
comprises an electric motor and a controller connected to the
electric motor. The sensor system comprises at least one sensor
configured to measure an operational value of the HVAC system. The
sensor system further comprises a close range radio communication
interface that is connected to the sensor and configured to
establish a local communication link to the actuator via a close
range radio communication interface of the actuator. The close
range radio communication interface is further configured to
transmit operational values measured by the sensor via the local
communication link to the actuator. The controller of the actuator
is connected to the actuator's close range radio communication
interface and configured to receive the operational values from the
sensor via the local communication link and to control operation of
the actuator's electric motor in accordance with the operational
values received from the sensor.
[0029] In another variant of the yet further aspect, the sensor
system comprises a controller connected to the sensor and
configured to generate actuator control signals in accordance with
the operational values measured by the sensor. The controller is
further configured to transmit the control signals via the local
communication link to the actuator. The actuator is configured to
receive the actuator control signals via the local communication
link and to control operation of the actuator's electric motor in
accordance with the received actuator control signals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The present invention will be explained in more detail, by
way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:
[0031] FIG. 1: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically a
mobile communication device that is arranged on-site with one or
more actuators and configured for close range radio communication
with one of these actuators.
[0032] FIG. 2: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically a
mobile communication device that is arranged on-site with one or
more actuators and configured for close range radio communication
with a display terminal connected to the actuators.
[0033] FIG. 3: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically
mobile communication devices that are arranged on-site with one or
more actuators and configured for close range radio communication
with one of these actuators and/or with a display terminal
connected to the actuators.
[0034] FIG. 4: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically a
mobile communication device that is provided with a mobile radio
communication module, for data communication in a mobile radio
communication network, and a close range radio communication
module, for establishing a local communication link to an on-site
actuator.
[0035] FIG. 5: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically a
display terminal that is provided with a close range radio
communication interface, for data communication with a mobile
communication device, and a communication bus interface for data
communication with one or more actuators via a communication
bus.
[0036] FIG. 6: shows a data flow diagram illustrating schematically
the data flow between a data server, a mobile device, and an
actuator via a direct local communication link.
[0037] FIG. 7: shows a data flow diagram illustrating schematically
the data flow between a data server, a mobile device, and an
actuator via an indirect local communication link through a display
terminal.
[0038] FIG. 8: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically a
mobile communication device that is arranged on-site with an
actuator that is provided with an antenna extension for close range
radio communication with the mobile communication device.
[0039] FIG. 8a: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically an
antenna extension system that comprises two antenna coils
interconnected by an antenna cable.
[0040] FIG. 9: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically a
sensor system and an actuator that are arranged on-site and in
close range radio communication.
[0041] FIG. 10: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically a
gateway system with a close range radio communication module
connected to a further radio communication module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] In FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 10, reference numeral 2 refers
to an operable mobile communication device. The mobile
communication device 2 is implemented as a mobile phone, a tablet
computer, a PDA computer (personal data organizer), a notebook
computer, or another computerized electronic, portable, mobile
communication device.
[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the mobile communication device 2
comprises a processing unit 20, a display 21, a mobile radio
communication module 22, a close range radio communication module
23, a data store 24, e.g. data memory such as RAM (Random Access
Memory), flash memory, SSD (Solid State Drive), or other data
storage units, and operating elements 25. Depending on the
embodiment of the mobile communication device 2, the operating
elements 25 include one or more keys, a keyboard, a touchpad,
and/or a touch sensitive screen, which may be implemented as part
of the display 21.
[0044] In FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 9, reference numeral 1 refers to a
display terminal. For example, the display terminal 1 is
implemented as a wall mountable display unit or designed as a
desktop unit.
[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the display terminal 1 comprises a
processing unit 10, a display screen 11, a communication bus
interface 12, a close range radio communication interface 13, a
data store 14, e.g. data memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory),
flash memory, SSD (Solid State Drive), or other data storage units,
and operating elements 15. Depending on the embodiment of the
display terminal 1, the operating elements 15 include one or more
keys, a keyboard, a touchpad, and/or a touch sensitive screen,
which may be implemented as part of the display screen 11. In an
embodiment, the display terminal 1 is implemented as a thermostat
and includes a temperature sensor connected to the processing unit
10.
[0046] The processing units 10, 20 comprise each one or more
operable processors and a computer readable medium having stored
thereon computer program code for controlling the processor(s). For
example, the computer program code for controlling the processing
unit 20 is arranged in an applet that can be loaded and stored in
data store 24 of the mobile communication device 2.
[0047] The mobile radio communication module 22 is configured for
data communication via a mobile radio communication network such as
a WLAN and/or a cellular telephone network, e.g. a GSM network
(Global System for Mobile Communication), a UMTS network (Universal
Mobile Telephone System), or another mobile radio telephone
network. The mobile radio communication module 22 is further
configured to exchange data with a remote data server 8 via
telecommunications network 7 including the mobile radio
communication network and the Internet.
[0048] The data server 8 comprises one or more operable computers
with one or more processors, data and program storage, and
databases. The data server 8 is configured to receive from the
mobile communication device 2 via the telecommunications network 7
data requests and data submissions. Specifically, the data server 8
is configured to retrieve from its databases and transmit to the
mobile communication device 2 data, in response to data requests
from the mobile communication device 2, to extract from data
submissions received from the mobile communication device 2 data
and store the extracted data in its databases, and to process the
data received from one or more mobile communication devices 2 for
one or more actuators or locations, respectively, as will be
explained below in more detail.
[0049] The close range radio communication module 23 and the close
range radio communication interface 13, 33 are each configured for
wireless radio-based data communication within a defined close
distance range, starting from near field communication, where the
communication devices are brought together so that they touch each
other or are in close proximity to each other, e.g. within a few
centimeters or inches, up to short distance communication, where
the communication devices are located within a few meters from each
other. Specifically, the close range radio communication module 23
and the close range radio communication interface 13, 33 comprise
each an NFC (Near Field Communication) module, e.g. based on
existing RFID standards such as ISO/IEC 14443 and ISO/IEC 18092,
and/or a Bluetooth communication module (originally defined in IEEE
802.15.1).
[0050] The communication bus interface 12 is configured to connect
the display terminal 1 to a communication bus 5 for data
communication via the communication bus 5. The communication bus 5
is implemented as a parallel or serial electrical or optical
wire-based data communication bus, e.g. an MP-Bus as developed and
provided by the applicant.
[0051] In FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10, reference numeral 9 refers
to a particular site, e.g. a building, a floor or storey in a
building, or one or more rooms in a building. As illustrated in
FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10, one or more operable actuators 3, 3'
are arranged on the site 9. The actuators 3, 3' include an electric
motor and are connected to an electrical power source. The
actuators 3, 3' are configured to drive valves and/or dampers for
controlling the flow of fluids, e.g. in an HVAC system. As
illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 9, at least some actuators 3, 3'
are connected to the communication bus 5 and/or interconnected by
the communication bus 5. As shown in FIG. 9 (but also applicable to
actuators 3, 3' shown or indicated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9,
and 10), the actuators 3, 3' comprise a data store 32 accessible to
a controller 34 of the actuator 3 and to the actuator's close range
radio communication interface 33 or the actuator's communication
bus interface, respectively. The data store 32 includes data memory
such as RAM (Random Access Memory), flash memory, SSD (Solid State
Drive), and/or other data storage units. Depending on the
embodiment and/or application, read and/or write access to the data
store 32 and data stored therein is controlled, e.g. based on a
cryptographic access key and/or a password. One skilled in the art
will understand that access control may be executed by a processor
of the actuator's controller 34, the actuator's close range radio
communication interface 33, and/or the actuator's communication bus
interface. In a scenario where multiple actuators' 3, 3' are
interconnected by way of a communication bus 5, the access
controlling processors are configured to reuse/accept the password
and/or cryptographic access key for accessing any other actuator 3,
3' on the communication bus 5, so that the user is required to
enter a password just once to access more than one actuators 3, 3'
on the communication bus 5. In other words, multiple actuators 3,
3' interconnected on communication bus 5, or their controllers or
processors, respectively, are configured to pass on a user's access
credentials from one actuator 3, 3' to another, or inherit access
rights, respectively, from another actuator 3, 3' (or its
controller or processor) that checked and verified the user's
access credentials.
[0052] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 8, 9, and 10, at least some
actuators 3 include a close range radio communication interface 33
for close range wireless data communication, as described above in
the context of the mobile communication device 2 and the display
terminal 1.
[0053] As illustrated schematically in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 8, the
close range radio communication module 23 is configured to
establish a local communication link 41, 43 to an actuator 3, 3'
via a close range radio communication interface 13, 33 that is
connected to the actuator 3, 3' and located in communication range
of the close range radio communication module 23. A local
communication link 41, 43 is established by: [0054] (1) both
communication entities, i.e. the mobile communication device 2 and
the actuators 3, 3', being on-site, i.e. on the site 9; and [0055]
(2) the close range radio communication module 23 of the mobile
communication device 2 and the close range radio communication
interface 13, 33 that is connected to the actuator 3, 3' being
located within communication range of each other.
[0056] In FIGS. 1, 3, and 8, reference numeral 43 refers to a local
communication link established directly between the close range
radio communication module 23 of the mobile communication device 2
and the close range radio communication interface 33 of the
actuator 3 (direct local communication link 43). The direct local
communication link 43 is established as a one-to-one wireless
communication link between the mobile communication device 2 and
the actuator 3, without any intermittent communication bus 5.
[0057] In FIGS. 2 and 3, reference numeral 41 refers to a local
communication link established between the close range radio
communication module 23 of the mobile communication device 2 and
the close range radio communication interface 13 of the display
terminal 1. The local communication link 41 enables an indirect
local communication link between the mobile communication device 2
and the actuator 3, 3' via the display terminal 1 and the
communication bus 5. Specifically, the local communication link 41
enables a one-to-one indirect local communication link between the
mobile communication device 2 and a selected one of the actuators
3, 3' connected to the communication bus 5, or a one-to-many
indirect local communication link between the mobile communication
device 2 and a plurality of actuators 3, 3' connected to the
communication bus 5.
[0058] As illustrated schematically in FIG. 8, in an embodiment the
actuator 3 is provided with an antenna extension system 300
configured to extend and/or displace the communication range of the
actuator's close range radio communication interface 33. In the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the local communication link 43
between the mobile communication device 2 and the actuator 3,
described above in the context of FIGS. 1 and 3, is established via
the antenna extension system 300. The antenna extension system 300
comprises an antenna 301 and an antenna coupling system 302. In a
wire based embodiment, the antenna coupling system 302 comprises an
antenna cable and antenna connectors for coupling electrically the
antenna 301 to the actuator's close range radio communication
interface 33. Typically, the wire based embodiment is used to
extend or displace the actuator's communication range by several
meters, e.g. 1-20 meters. In a further embodiment, illustrated in
FIG. 8a, the antenna coupling system 302 comprises a coupling
antenna 305, e.g. an antenna coil, for coupling electromagnetically
(passively) the antenna extension system 300 to the actuator's
close range radio communication interface 33. Thus, in this further
embodiment, the antenna extension system 300 comprises an antenna
cable 306, a first antenna 301 (e.g. a first antenna coil)
connected electrically to one end of the antenna cable 306, and a
second antenna 305 (e.g. a second antenna coil) connected
electrically to the other end of the antenna cable 306 and used for
electromagnetically coupling the antenna extension system 300 to
the actuator's close range radio communication interface 33. For
example, the coupling antenna 305 is adhered to the actuator 3, on
the exterior of its housing in the location of the antenna of the
actuator's close range radio communication interface 33. For
attaching the coupling antenna 305 to the actuator 3, or to any
other device with a close range radio communication interface 33,
the coupling antenna 305 is fixed to a carrier plate 307, which is
provided, for example, with an adhesive under a peel-off foil, and
the actuator 3 has marking(s) indicating the location(s) of its
antenna(s). Alternatively, the antenna coupling system 302
comprises a radio transceiver system, e.g. based on Bluetooth,
configured to establish a wireless communication link between the
antenna 301 and the actuator's close range radio communication
interface 33. Typically, the wireless embodiment is used to extend
or displace the actuator's communication range by a few meters,
e.g. 1-5 meters. In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the
antenna extension system 300 is implemented as a gateway that
comprises a close range radio communication module 13, a further
second radio communication module 304, and a gateway module 303
interconnecting the close range radio communication module 13 and
the radio communication module 304. The close range radio
communication module 13 is implemented as the antenna coupling
system 302 and configured for near field communication (NFC) with
the actuator's close range radio communication interface 33 over a
direct wireless local communication link 46. The further second
radio communication module 304, e.g. a WLAN and/or Bluetooth radio
communication module, is connected to the close range radio
communication module 13 through the gateway module 303 and has a
greater communication range than the close range radio
communication module 13. The gateway module 303 is configured to
receive data from the actuator's close range radio communication
interface 33 via the close range radio communication module 13 and
to transmit the received data by way of the further second radio
communication module 304 over an extended wireless communication
link 44 to a mobile or fixed communication device 2, thereby
extending the communication range of the actuator 3, 3' beyond the
communication range of its close range radio communication
interface 33. Likewise, in opposite communication direction, the
gateway module 303 is configured to receive data from a mobile or
fixed communication device 2, through the further second radio
communication module 304, and to transmit the received data by way
of its close range radio communication module 13 to the actuator's
close range radio communication interface 33. The gateway module
303 is implemented as an electronic circuit, e.g. an ASIC
(application specific integrated circuit).
[0059] In the following paragraphs, described with reference to
FIGS. 6 and 7 are possible sequences of steps performed by the
mobile communication device 2 or its processing unit 20, mobile
radio communication module 22, and close range radio communication
module 23, respectively, for monitoring and managing operation of a
plurality of actuators 3, 3'.
[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 6, in step S1, the mobile
communication device 2 enters the communication range of actuator 3
or its close range radio communication interface 33, respectively.
The actuator 3 is stationary and the mobile communication device 2
is moved into the communication range by its user. In a static
scenario, e.g. in locations that are not visited frequently or
regularly by users with mobile communication devices 2, a "mobile"
communication device 2 is actually installed in a fixed or
stationary fashion within the communication range of one or more
actuator 3 or its close range radio communication interface 33, in
order to include actuators 3 in such locations in data mining and
device update applications, described below in more detail, without
having to connect these actuators 3 to a wired communication
network or to implement in these actuators a mobile radio
communication module for data communication via a mobile radio
communication network such as a WLAN and/or a cellular telephone
network. In the static scenario, the "mobile" communication device
2 is connected through a wired or inductive adapter to a power
supply. In suitable locations with exposure to daylight,
photovoltaic solar cells are connected as a power source.
[0061] In step S2, a direct local communication link 43 is
established between the mobile communication device 2 and the
actuator 3. Specifically, a wireless local communication link 43 is
established between the close range communication module 23 of the
mobile communication device 2 and the close range radio
communication interface 33 of the actuator 3. The wireless local
communication link 43 is established automatically by the close
range radio communication module 23 when the close range radio
communication interface 33 of the actuator 3 is located within the
communication range of the close range radio communication module
23.
[0062] In step S3, the processing unit 20 of the mobile
communication device 2 determines identification information
associated with the local communication link 43 to the actuator 3.
Specifically, the processing unit 20 determines actuator
identification information, which identifies the actuator 3
associated with the local communication link 43. In an embodiment,
the actuator identification information corresponds to interface
identification information which identifies and is stored in the
close range radio communication interface 33 of the actuator 3 or
in data store 32, respectively.
[0063] In optional step S4, the processing unit 20 shows the
identification information 200 associated with the local
communication link 43 on the display screen 21 of the mobile
communication device 2. Depending on the embodiment, the processing
unit 20 shows on the display screen 21 the actuator identification
information by displaying the identification number of the actuator
3, a descriptive name of the actuator 3, a visual representation of
the actuator 3, a location indication of the actuator 3, a building
or floor plan including a marking of the actuator 3, and/or a
wiring plan including a marking of the actuator 3. Markings of
items in a building or floor or wiring plan, e.g. an actuator 3,
are provided as highlighted, emphasized, and/or enlarged text,
numbers, graphs, and/or areas, for example. The building or floor
plan and/or a wiring plan is/are stored in the data store 24 of the
mobile communication device 2, or retrieved from the remote data
server 8, e.g. as location-specific data, as will be described
below in the context of step S5 or S5', respectively.
[0064] In step S5, location-specific data is exchanged between the
mobile communication device 2 and the remote data server 8.
Specifically, the processing unit 20 uses the mobile radio
communication module 22 of the mobile communication device 2 to
exchange location-specific data with the remote data server 8 via
the telecommunications network 7, particularly, via the mobile
radio communication network and the Internet. The content of the
location-specific data depends on the identification information
associated with the local communication link 43 to the actuator 3.
Specifically, the mobile communication device 2 and the remote data
server 8 exchange location-specific actuator data which is defined
by the actuator identification information. In a further
embodiment, the data server 8 identifies the need for a software
update for the actuator 3 based on software release and/or error
information retrieved from the actuator 3 or based on a list of
actuators and/or actuator types that need to be updated;
subsequently, a new release or update (patch) of program code is
transferred from the remote server 8 via the mobile communication
device 2 to the actuator 3 where it is stored in data store 32 or
another data store of the actuator controller 34 or its
processor.
[0065] The exchange of location-specific data between the mobile
communication device 2 and the remote data server 8 includes
transferring location-specific actuator data form the remote data
server 8 via the mobile radio communication network 7 to the mobile
communication device 2, and/or transferring location-specific
actuator data from the mobile communication device 2 via the mobile
radio communication network 7 to the remote data server 8. As
illustrated schematically in FIG. 6, the location-specific actuator
data is actually exchanged between the actuator 3 and the remote
server 8 via the mobile communication device 2.
[0066] Specifically, the processing unit 20 uses the mobile radio
communication module 22 to receive from the remote data server 8
location-specific actuator data via the mobile radio communication
network. Subsequently, the processing unit 20 uses the close range
communication module 23 to transfer the received location-specific
actuator data via the wireless local communication link 43 to the
actuator 3 or its close range communication interface 33,
respectively. The location-specific actuator data, transferred from
the remote server 8 to the actuator 3, includes program code for
the actuator 3, a value of altitude, other configuration parameters
for the actuator 3, climate data and/or weather data. At the
actuator 3 or a controller 34 of the actuator 3, respectively, the
location-specific actuator data is stored in a data store for
defining further operation of the actuator 3 and/or its controller
34. Specifically, the program code controls a processor of the
actuator 3 or its controller 34, the value of altitude is used to
adjust the measurement of an air flow sensor, and further
configuration parameters determine the motor speed, a valve or
damper closing and/or opening time, a target value of flow, maximum
and/or minimum position of the actuator or its motor, respectively,
etc. The location-specific climate data and/or weather data is used
by the controller 34 of the actuator 3 to control operation of the
actuator 3 depending on the local climate and/or the current local
weather in the geographical area where the actuator 3 is installed.
In an embodiment, the location-specific data further includes a
building or floor plan and/or a wiring plan for the site 9 and the
location of the respective actuator 3. To control access to the
actuator 3, the processing unit 20 requests the user to enter a
password, particularly, for writing data into the data store 32 of
the actuator 3. At the actuator 3, access authorization is checked
based on the password or a cryptographic access key generated by
the processing unit 20 from the password, as described above.
[0067] With regards to using the value of altitude for adjusting
the measurement of an air flow sensor, it shall be explained here
that flow sensors that rely on measuring a differential pressure
.DELTA.p for determining the flow {dot over (V)}=c {square root
over (.DELTA.p)}, where c is a constant value, e.g. c=10, are
dependent on air density and, thus, altitude. The air density
p.sub.h[kg/m.sup.3] or air pressure p.sub.h[hPa], respectively, at
a particular altitude h is defined by the international barometric
formula
p h = 1.2255 .times. .times. kg / m 3 ( 1 - 6.5 h 288 .times.
.times. km ) 4 . 2 .times. 5 .times. 5 .times. .times. or .times.
.times. p h = 1 .times. 0 .times. 13 .times. hPa ( 1 - 6.5 h 288
.times. .times. km ) 5.255 , ##EQU00001##
respectively. The measurement error for the differential pressure
.DELTA.p from a sensor calibrated for sea level (h=0 m) is
approximately 1% for every 100 m altitude. For example, at 500 m
above sea level, the measured differential pressure
.DELTA.p.sub.measured has an error of approximately 5%, i.e.
.DELTA.p.sub.measured=0.95.DELTA.p.sub.real. Consequently, the
error for the flow {dot over (V)}=c {square root over
(0.95.DELTA.p)}=c0.975 {square root over (.DELTA.p)} is
approximately 2.5%. The altitude value h, received at the actuator
3, 3' from the remote server 8, is used to adjust/correct the
measurement of the differential pressure
.DELTA.p.sub.adjusted=.DELTA.p.sub.measured=8809/(8809-h) and,
thus, the flow {dot over (V)}.sub.adjusted=c {square root over
(.DELTA.p.sub.measured8809/(8809-h))} measured by the flow sensor.
Adjusting the differential pressure .DELTA.p and/or the flow
measurement {dot over (V)} is particularly useful in configurations
where the actuator 3, 3' actuates a valve for controlling the size
of an orifice and, thus, flow of a fluid, depending on an actual
flow measurement measured by a flow sensor.
[0068] Moreover, the processing unit 20 uses the close range radio
communication module 23 to receive (push mode) or retrieve (pull
mode) the location-specific actuator data via the wireless local
communication link 43 from the actuator 3, 3' or its close range
communication interface 33, respectively. The processing unit 20
links the location-specific actuator data obtained from the
actuator with a time stamp that indicates the current time and
date. The current time and date is generated by the mobile
communication device 2. In a variant, the current time and date is
synchronized by mobile communication device 2 or its processing
unit 20, respectively, with an external time reference source via
the mobile radio communication network 7. Subsequently, the
processing unit 20 uses the mobile radio communication module 22 to
transfer the received/retrieved and time stamped location-specific
actuator data via the mobile radio communication network 7 to the
remote server 8. The location-specific actuator data transferred
from the actuator 3 to the remote server 8 includes
operation-related data recorded by the actuator 3 and/or
configuration data stored in the actuator 3. The operation-related
actuator data indicates for the actuator 3 the number of cycles,
the number of movements, the maximum travel angle, the minimum
travel angle, the current position, the maximum position, the
minimum position, current sensor values, a combination of sensor
values, the state of an energy storage element of the actuator 3
(e.g. battery charge), a type of valve connected to the actuator 3,
3', a Kvs value of the valve, malfunction or error information of
the actuator 3, and/or an altitude value stored for a flow or
pressure sensor connected to the actuator 3, 3' or its controller
34, respectively. The Kvs value expresses in [m.sup.3/h] the amount
of flow in a regulating valve at a fully-open valve position and a
pressure differential of 1 bar. It should be pointed out, that in
an embodiment the operation-related actuator data further includes
operation-related actuator data related to another (second)
actuator 3' which is transferred to the (first) actuator 3 via a
wired or wireless communication link. At the remote server 8, the
location-specific actuator data is stored in a database, e.g.
assigned to identification and location information associated with
the actuator 3, 3' and/or the site 9, as well as a time stamp, for
subsequent statistical analysis, correlation analysis, reporting,
detection of malfunctioning, etc. For example, the
location-specific actuator data is analyzed with regards to
correlation with actuator production information and further
location specific data, such as climate, weather, humidity, and/or
other regional and/or geographical information. Specifically, based
on the time stamp linked to the location-specific actuator data,
the remote server 8 determines the location-specific actuator data
that was received within the same time window from a plurality of
mobile communication devices 2 and/or for different locations. The
duration of the time window is defined depending on the application
and data analysis scenario, for example, the time duration may be
1-5 seconds, 5-60 seconds, 1-5 minutes, 5-60 minutes, 1-5 hours,
1-7 days, or 1-6 months. Storing the location-specific actuator
data linked to respective time stamps makes it possible to analyze
the collected actuator data for selected locations and time
windows. Depending on the application, the location and time
specific analysis may be executed through automated statistical
analysis or performed by a user "manually", e.g. by reviewing on a
display screen actuator data selected and retrieved from the server
8 for specific locations and time windows. For example, the user
may compare on the display screen a listing of operation-related
actuator data for actuators 3, 3' at a specific location, e.g. a
room, a floor, a building, or several buildings at specific
coordinates or an address, for a specific time window, possibly
including multiple values for each of the actuators 3, 3' along a
time line in the time window.
[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 7, in step S1', the mobile
communication device 2 enters the communication range of display
terminal 1 or its close range radio communication interface 13,
respectively. Typically, the display terminal 1 is stationary, e.g.
mounted fixed on a wall, and the mobile communication device 2 is
moved into the communication range by its user.
[0070] In step S2', a local communication link 41 is established
between the mobile communication device 2 and the display terminal
1. Specifically, a wireless local communication link 41 is
established between the close range communication module 23 of the
mobile communication device 2 and the close range radio
communication interface 33 of the display terminal 1. The wireless
local communication link 41 is established automatically by the
close range radio communication module 23 when the close range
radio communication interface 13 of the display terminal 1 is
located within the communication range of the close range radio
communication module 23.
[0071] In step S3', the processing unit 20 of the mobile
communication device 2 determines identification information
associated with the local communication link 41 to the display
terminal 1. Specifically, the processing unit 20 determines
interface identification information which identifies and is stored
in the close range radio communication interface 13 of the display
terminal 1. In an embodiment, the interface identification
information corresponds to terminal identification information
which identifies the display terminal 1. In an embodiment, the
processing unit 20 further retrieves via the local communication
link 41 actuator identification information which is stored in the
data store 14 of the display terminal 1 and identifies the
actuator(s) 3, 3' that are connected to the display terminal 1 via
the communication bus 5. In an alternative embodiment, the
processing unit 20 retrieves the actuator identification
information from remote server 8 as location specific actuator
data, as was described above in the context of step S5.
[0072] In step S4', the processing unit 20 shows the identification
information 100 associated with the local communication link 41 on
the display screen 21 of the mobile communication device 2.
Depending on the embodiment, the processing unit 20 shows on the
display screen 21 the identification information 100 by displaying
an identification number of the display terminal 1, a descriptive
name of the display terminal 1, a visual representation of the
display terminal 1 (e.g. a photograph, drawing or diagram), a
location indication of the display terminal 1, an identification
number of the actuator(s) 3, 3', a descriptive name of the
actuator(s) 3, 3', a visual representation of the actuator(s) 3,
3', a location indication of the actuator(s) 3, 3', a building or
floor plan including a marking of the display terminal 1 and the
actuator(s) 3, 3', and/or a wiring plan including a marking of the
display terminal 1 and the actuator(s) 3, 3'. In a further
embodiment, this information is further displayed on the display
screen 11 of the display terminal 1.
[0073] In step S5', the processing unit 20 receives from the user
of the mobile communication device 2 selection instructions for
selecting one of the actuators 3, 3' connected via the
communication bus 5 to the display terminal 1 and, thus, to the
close range radio communication interface 13. For example, an
actuator 3, 3' is selected via the building or floor and/or wiring
plan displayed on the display 21 and/or display screen 11, e.g. by
clicking or double clicking a respective graphical representation
by means of operating elements 25 or a touch screen, etc.
Accordingly, the selected actuator 3, 3' is marked on the building
or floor and/or wiring plan.
[0074] In step S6', an indirect local communication link 41 is
established between the mobile communication device 2 and the
selected actuator 3, 3' via the display terminal 1 and the
communication bus 5. Specifically, the local communication link 41
is established via the wireless local communication link, between
the close range communication module 23 of the mobile communication
device 2 and the close range radio communication interface 13 of
the display terminal 1, via the display terminal 1, and via the
communication bus 5 to the selected actuator 3, 3'.
[0075] In step S7', location-specific data is exchanged between the
mobile communication device 2 and the remote data server 8, as was
described above in the context of step S5. In this present case,
however, the content of the location-specific data depends on the
identification information associated with the local communication
link 41 to the selected actuator 3, 3'. Specifically, the mobile
communication device 2 and the remote data server 8 exchange
location-specific actuator data which is defined by the actuator
identification information that identifies the selected actuator 3,
3'. As illustrated schematically in FIG. 7, the location-specific
actuator data is actually exchanged between the selected actuator
3, 3' and the remote server 8 via the communication bus 5, the
display terminal 1, and the mobile communication device 2.
[0076] To control access to the selected actuator 3, 3', the
processing unit 10, 20 of the mobile communication device 2 or the
display terminal 1, respectively, requests the user to enter a
password, particularly, for writing data into the data store 32 of
the actuator 3, 3'. At the actuator 3, 3', access authorization is
checked based on the password or a cryptographic access key
generated by the processing unit 10, 20 from the password.
Preferably, the processing unit 10, 20 is configured to reuse the
password and/or cryptographic access key for accessing any other
actuator 3, 3' on the communication bus 5, so that the user is
required to enter a password just once to access more than one
actuators 3, 3' on the communication bus 5, as described above.
[0077] FIG. 9 illustrates a modular HVAC system 130 comprising an
actuator 3 and a sensor system 110 which are connected via close
range radio communication interfaces 13, 33 over a direct wireless
local communication link 45.
[0078] The sensor system 110 comprises a close range radio
communication interface 13 configured to establish a local
communication link 45 to the actuator 3 via a close range radio
communication interface 33 that is connected to the actuator 3 and
located in communication range of the sensor system's close range
radio communication interface 13. Depending on the embodiment, the
actuator 3 and the sensor system 110 are arranged in one and the
same housing or in separate housings. The sensor system 110
comprises one or more of the following sensors 111 for measuring
operational values of the HVAC system 130: a temperature sensor, a
humidity sensor, a pressure sensor for measuring the differential
pressure of a fluid, a flow sensor for measuring the flow of a
fluid, e.g. air or water, a carbon dioxide sensor, a carbon
monoxide sensor, and/or a smoke detection sensor. The one or more
sensors 111 are connected to the sensor system's close range radio
communication interface 13, configured to transmit operational
values of the HVAC system 130 measured by the sensors 111 via the
local communication link 45 to the actuator 3. The actuator 3
comprises a controller 34 connected to the actuator's close range
radio communication interface 33 and configured to receive
operational values from the sensors 111 via the local communication
link 45. The actuator 3 comprises a data store 32 accessible to the
actuator's close range radio communication interface 33 and the
actuator's controller 34 for reading and/or writing data values.
The controller 34 is further configured to control operation of the
actuator's electric motor 30 in accordance with the operational
values of the HVAC system 130 received from the sensors 111. For
example, the controller 34 is configured to control the motor 30 in
accordance with the received operational values to move an actuated
part, e.g. a valve or a flap, to a defined position for adjusting
the opening size of an orifice to control the flow of a fluid, e.g.
in a pipe. In another embodiment, the sensor system 110 comprises a
controller 112 connected to the sensors 111 and configured to
generate actuator control signals in accordance with the measured
operational values of the HVAC system 130, and to transmit the
actuator control signals via the local communication link 45 to the
actuator 3. The actuator 3 is configured to receive the control
signals via the local communication link 45 and to control
operation of the actuator's electric motor 30 in accordance with
the received actuator control signals. For example, the actuator 3
is configured to control the motor 30 in accordance with the
received actuator control signals to move an actuated part as
described above to control the flow of a fluid. In an embodiment,
the sensor system 110 is arranged in a thermostat and/or as part of
the display terminal 1 described above.
[0079] It should be noted that, in the description, the computer
program code has been associated with specific functional modules
and the sequence of the steps has been presented in a specific
order, one skilled in the art will understand, however, that the
computer program code may be structured differently and that the
order of at least some of the steps could be altered, without
deviating from the scope of the invention.
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