A control module for controlling a plurality of power switching elements and a method thereof
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202080075992.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-10-29
- Filing Date
- 2020-10-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-09
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-10-20
Smart Images
Figure CN114600338B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a control module, system, and method for controlling a plurality of power switching elements; wherein each power switching element is arranged to control the supply of power to one or more wireless network devices. Background Technology
[0002] A smart home system, comprised of smart networked devices and a home network, is typically connected to the internet, allowing the user to control them when they are not at home. While referred to as a "home" system, such a system can be implemented in any environment, such as a workplace or outdoor space. Smart networked devices are devices that can connect to or be recognized by the system. An example of such a smart home system is a connected lighting system, referring to a system of one or more lighting devices that are not controlled by (or not only by) traditional wired, electric switches or dimmer circuits, but are controlled using data communication protocols via wired networks or more commonly, wireless connections such as wireless network protocols like Zigbee, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
[0003] Electrical energy (power) is typically supplied to this smart home system from the grid via smart meters. The power is further distributed from the smart meters to several smart fuse boxes, dedicated to powering each circuit that includes smart network devices and / or control modules. Each smart fuse box contains several smart circuit breakers that protect the circuits connected to it. The switching (on / off) of the switches within the smart circuit breakers disconnects the circuit from / is connected to the mains power supply, protecting the circuit from that circuit breaker.
[0004] US 2009 / 322160 A1 discloses a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a power board including two or more sockets and two or more socket circuits, wherein an AC power input is connected to the sockets and a switch via the socket circuits. The power board is configured to reduce or eliminate power during an idle mode by disconnecting the sockets from the power input. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The inventors have realized that a deadlock can occur in such a smart home system when the control module itself loses power. The control module, coupled to the circuit, can turn off a switch that disconnects the circuit from the mains power. The (re)connection of the circuit to the mains power will depend on a signal from the now-power-off control module. In this deadlock situation, the control module cannot perform any control operations.
[0006] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to avoid such deadlock situations, so that the control module remains able to perform control operations associated with the control module.
[0007] According to the first aspect, this objective is achieved by a control module for controlling a plurality of power switching elements, wherein each power switching element is arranged to control the supply of power to one or more wireless network devices; wherein the control module includes a processor arranged to: determine which of the plurality of power switching elements the control module receives power through; determine a set of a plurality of wireless network devices that receive power via a first power switching element; determine that the set includes all wireless network devices that receive power via the first power switching element; determine the operating state of each wireless network device in the set; determine whether the control module receives power via the first power switching element; evaluate a (first) set of conditions; wherein the (first) set of conditions includes that the control module does not receive power via the first power switching element, and the determined operating state indicates that each wireless network device in the set does not require power; and based on the positive result of the evaluation of the (first) set of conditions, control the first power switching element to stop supplying power to the set of wireless network devices.
[0008] The control module can be arranged to control multiple power switching elements. Each power switching element can be contained within a (smart) circuit breaker. A (smart) circuit breaker is an electrical switch that can be controlled to stop / supply power to one or more wireless network devices and / or control modules. In the example, the circuit breaker can be designed to protect one or more wireless network devices and / or control modules from damage caused by excessive current due to overload or short circuit.
[0009] The control module can receive power via any power switching element. The processor of the control module can be arranged to determine which of a plurality of power switching elements the control module receives power via. The processor can be further arranged to determine a set of a plurality of wireless network devices receiving power via a first power switching element; and is also arranged to ensure that the set includes all wireless network devices receiving power via the first power switching element. The processor can also be arranged to determine the operating state of each wireless network device in the set. The operating state can relate to the operation of the wireless network device. For example, determining the operating state can involve: each wireless network device in the set is inactive, such that each device does not require power; or each wireless network device in the set is in standby mode, such that each device requires less power than required for normal operation.
[0010] The processor can also be configured to determine whether the control module receives power via a first power switching element. This determination may involve finding whether the control module and the set of wireless network devices receive power via the same power switching element. Stopping power supply to the set of wireless network devices via the first power switching element may also stop power supply to the control module, thus preventing it from performing control operations. In this case, the non-operating control module may no longer be able to control the first power switching element. This leads to a deadlock situation because control of the first power switching element for power supply is expected to come from the non-operating control module. A (first) set of conditions can be evaluated. The (first) set of conditions may include the control module not receiving power via the first power switching element, and the determined operating state may indicate that each wireless network device in the set does not require power. This deadlock situation is avoided because the first power switching element (via the processor) is controlled to stop power supply to the corresponding one or more wireless network devices based on the evaluation (positive evaluation). The cessation of power supply via the first power switching element may also depend on the determined operating state of the set of wireless network devices; for example, when the set is inoperable such that each wireless network device in the set does not require power, the processor may control the first power switching element to stop power supply to the set of wireless network devices.
[0011] In an embodiment, the processor may be further arranged to determine whether at least one other control module receives power from the first power switching element; and wherein the (first) set of conditions may further include the control module and at least one other control module not receiving power via the first power switching element.
[0012] In this embodiment, a deadlock situation can be created for at least one other control module that receives power via the first power switching element. Therefore, the processor can be configured to determine whether at least one other control module receives power via the first power switching element, and if not, to control the first power switching element to stop supplying power to the corresponding one or more wireless network devices. Thus, a deadlock situation for at least one other control module is also avoided. In this case, stopping power supply to the aggregate of wireless network devices via the first power switching element also stops power supply to that control module and at least one other control module.
[0013] In an embodiment, the processor may be further configured to: evaluate a second set of conditions, wherein the second set of conditions includes the control module receiving power via a first power switching element, and the determined operating state indicating that each wireless network device in the set does not require power; establish an auxiliary power path based on a positive result of the evaluation of the second set of conditions, through which the control module may receive power; and, while establishing the auxiliary power path, control the first power switching element to stop supplying power to the set of wireless network devices.
[0014] When the control module receives power via the first power switching element, and when power supply via the first power switching element ceases, the control module cannot perform control operations associated with it. Control operations may include controlling the operational state of at least the set of wireless network devices and / or controlling the power switching elements(s) to stop / supply power. Therefore, in this scenario, the processor may be arranged to first establish an auxiliary power path through which the control module receives power, and then subsequently control the first power switching element to stop supplying power to the set of wireless network devices. The establishment of the auxiliary power path is advantageously performed to maintain the control module's ability to perform control operations.
[0015] In an embodiment, the auxiliary power path may include a power path for receiving power from an energy storage element; wherein the power supply from the auxiliary power path may not be controlled via a first power switching element.
[0016] The auxiliary power path may include a power path for receiving power from the energy storage element. The control module may receive power directly via the auxiliary path, so that the power supply is not controlled by the first power switching element. The energy storage element may be, for example, a capacitor (such as an electrolytic capacitor or a supercapacitor), or an array of capacitors and / or batteries. The batteries may be rechargeable, allowing them to be charged, discharged, and recharged at least a number of times. The use of the energy storage element provides a simple solution to avoid deadlock conditions and keeps the control module able to perform control operations.
[0017] In an embodiment, the processor may be further arranged to determine the charging level of the energy storage element; and wherein the (second) set of conditions may further include the determined charging level being higher than a threshold.
[0018] The charge level of an energy storage element (such as a (rechargeable) battery) can be determined. The charge level can be, for example, the state of charge (SoC) of the energy storage element, which is the charge level of the energy storage element relative to its capacity. Typically, the SoC cannot be directly measured, but it can be estimated from directly measured variables in two ways: offline and online. A processor can also be arranged to determine whether the charge level is above a threshold. This threshold can be determined based on, for example, the power required by a control module. The charge level is considered above the threshold if the charge level is sufficient for the energy storage element to provide the power required for control operations to be performed by the control module. Therefore, the set of conditions can include the determined charge level being above the threshold. The control module is then arranged to receive power from the energy storage element. The processor can be arranged to subsequently control a first power switching element to stop supplying power to the collection of wireless network devices after receiving power from the energy storage element.
[0019] In an embodiment, the processor may also be configured to control the first power switching element to resume power supply to the control module when the determined charging level is below a threshold.
[0020] When the determined charge level falls below a threshold, preventing the energy storage element from providing the power required for control operations by the control module, the processor can be configured to control a first power switching element to resume power supply to the control module. In this embodiment, the control module can receive power from the energy storage element, and power supply via the first power switching element is stopped. The processor can determine the charge level periodically or at random times, for example, during a period when the control module receives power from the energy storage element. Alternatively, the energy storage element can be configured to indicate the charge level to the processor, for example, by means of a red / flashing light or by sending a charging signal, when the charge level approaches the threshold.
[0021] In an embodiment, the processor may also be configured to: evaluate a second set of conditions, wherein the second set of conditions includes a control module receiving power via a first power switching element, and the determined operating state indicates that each wireless network device in the set does not require power; based on a positive result of the evaluation of the second set of conditions, allocate at least one other control module to perform a control operation associated with the control module, wherein the control operation may include controlling the operating state of the set of at least the wireless network devices and / or controlling multiple power switching elements; and when allocating at least one other control module to perform the control operation associated with the control module, control the first power switching element to stop supplying power to the set of wireless network devices.
[0022] Given that the set of control modules and wireless network devices receive power from the (same) first power switching element, the processor can allocate at least one other control module to perform control operations associated with that control module. In one example, the processor can first determine which of the at least one other control module is capable of performing the control operation, such as whether the at least one other control module is receiving power, has sufficient processing power, and / or memory. When the at least one other control module is suitable for allocation, the processor can be arranged to allocate the at least one other control module to perform the control operation associated with that control module. In another example, no suitability check is performed, and the processor can be arranged to allocate at least one other control module to perform the control operation associated with that control module. The control operation may include controlling the operational state of the set of at least the wireless network devices. The control operation may further include controlling multiple power switching elements. In one example, when at least one other control module cannot perform a control operation during operation—for example, when it does not have sufficient remaining processing power to support further control operations—at least one other control module can be arranged to control the first power switching element to restore power to the control module, or alternatively, refuse the allocation.
[0023] In an embodiment, the control module may further include a memory arranged to: store a list of a plurality of other control modules; and for each of the other control modules, store a list of corresponding power switching elements, each of the other control modules being arranged to receive power via the list of corresponding power switching elements.
[0024] In the example, the control module may further include a memory that can be arranged to store tables of other control modules with their corresponding power switching elements, via which they are arranged to receive power. Advantageously, such tables are stored to understand the mapping of different connections in the network, i.e., which other control module receives power from which power switching element.
[0025] In an embodiment, the processor may be further configured to: monitor which of the other control modules has been assigned to perform control operations; monitor whether power supply via a power switching element corresponding to the assigned other control module has stopped; and, if power supply has stopped, control the power switching element corresponding to the assigned other control module to supply power to the assigned other control module.
[0026] In this example, the control module can act as the "master" control module, ensuring that control operations associated with it and other control modules are successfully executed and that there is no deadlock in the network. A processor can be configured to monitor which of the other control modules has been assigned to perform a control operation. In the event of a power outage via the power switching element corresponding to the assigned other control module, the process can be configured to control the corresponding power switching element to (at least) supply power to the assigned other control module. Therefore, the assigned other control modules remain capable of performing control operations, and there is no deadlock in the network.
[0027] In an embodiment, the processor may be further configured to: monitor whether the wireless network device needs to be controlled by at least one other control module; monitor whether power supply via a power switching element corresponding to at least one other control module has stopped; and, under the condition that power supply has stopped, control the power switching element corresponding to one other control module to provide power to at least one other control module.
[0028] In cases where the wireless network device needs to be controlled by at least one other control module, such as due to the need to control the scheduling of the wireless network device on which the wireless network device is based, or the need for the wireless network device to respond to sensor signals, etc., if the power supply via a power switching element corresponding to at least one other control module is stopped, the processor can advantageously control the corresponding power switching element to supply power to (at least) one other control module.
[0029] In this embodiment, the wireless network device may be a lighting device, and a control module may be arranged to control the operating state of the lighting device.
[0030] In this embodiment, the wireless network device can be a lighting device. In the example, the operating state is an on state where the lighting device provides illumination and an off state where the lighting device does not provide illumination. In another example, a control module can be arranged to control one or more of the following: the color, color temperature, intensity, beam width, beam direction, illumination intensity, and / or other parameters of one or more light sources of the lighting device.
[0031] In this embodiment, multiple power switching elements are included in the distribution board.
[0032] Each power switching element can be contained within a smart circuit breaker; multiple power switching elements can be contained within a distribution board (e.g., a smart fuse box).
[0033] According to the second aspect, this objective is achieved by a system for controlling a plurality of power switching elements; the system includes: a wireless communication network including a plurality of wireless network devices; and a control module according to the first aspect.
[0034] According to a third aspect, this objective is achieved by a method for controlling a plurality of power switching elements; wherein the method includes the following steps: determining which of the plurality of power switching elements a control module receives power through; determining a set of a plurality of wireless network devices that receive power via a first power switching element; determining that the set includes all wireless network devices that receive power via the first power switching element; determining the operating state of each wireless network device in the set; determining whether the control module receives power via the first power switching element; evaluating a (first) set of conditions; wherein the (first) set of conditions includes that the control module does not receive power via the first power switching element, and the determined operating state indicates that each wireless network device in the set does not require power; and controlling the first power switching element to stop supplying power to the set of wireless network devices based on the evaluation (positive result).
[0035] According to the fourth aspect, this objective is achieved by a computer program product including instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of the method according to the third aspect.
[0036] According to the fifth aspect, this objective is achieved by a switchboard, which includes multiple power switching elements and a control module according to the first aspect.
[0037] It should be understood that computer program products, methods, and systems may have similar and / or the same embodiments and advantages as the control modules described above. Attached Figure Description
[0038] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the above and additional objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed apparatus, systems, and methods will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments of the apparatus, systems, and methods, in which: Figure 1 An embodiment of a system for controlling multiple power switching elements is illustrated schematically and exemplary; Figure 2 Another embodiment of a system for controlling multiple power switching elements is illustrated schematically and exemplary; Figure 3 An embodiment of a control module for controlling multiple power switching elements is illustrated schematically and exemplary; Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method for controlling multiple power switching elements is shown schematically and exemplaryly.
[0039] All figures are schematic and not necessarily to scale, and generally only show the parts necessary to illustrate the invention, where other parts may be omitted or only suggested. Detailed Implementation
[0040] Figure 1 An embodiment of a system 100 for controlling multiple power switching elements 111a-d is illustrated schematically and exemplary. Electrical energy is supplied to the system 100 from the power grid (not shown) via a smart meter 101. The electrical energy is further distributed from the smart meter 101 to several distribution boards. For clarity, in... Figure 1 Only one of several distribution boards 110 is shown. In this example, distribution board 110 may be a smart fuse box. System 100 may include multiple power switching elements 111a-d contained in distribution board 110. Distribution board 110 may be arranged to divide the power supply via smart meter 101 into four auxiliary power zones or power buses 115a-d, each auxiliary power zone or power bus 115a-d associated with a corresponding power switching element 111a-d, and for providing power to wireless network devices 125a-c and / or control modules 120, 120a-b coupled to the corresponding power zone / bus 115a-d.
[0041] In the example Figure 1 In this example, power switch element 111a is arranged to control the supply of power to wireless network devices 125a-c coupled to power area / bus 115a. Similarly, power switch element 111b is arranged to control the supply of power to wireless network devices (not numbered for clarity) coupled to power area / bus 115b. Figure 1 In this system 100, four power switching elements 111a-d and four corresponding power zones / buses 115a-d are included. The system 100 may include any number of power switching elements 111a-d and corresponding power zones / buses 115a-d. Each power switching element 111a-d may be contained within a (smart) circuit breaker. When a power switching element 111a-d is in the ON state, power is supplied to the corresponding power zone / bus 115a-d, and thus to the coupled wireless network devices 125a-c; and when a power switching element 111a-d is in the OFF state, the corresponding power zone / bus 115a-d and therefore the coupled wireless network devices 125a-c do not receive power.
[0042] Wireless network devices 125a-c can be included in a wireless communication network. The wireless communication network can use any suitable type of protocol, including, for example, Bluetooth, ZigBee, or Wi-Fi. Wireless communication networks can typically use any wireless protocol. Wireless communication between multiple wireless network devices and the control module can be conveniently achieved using ZigBee, Bluetooth, and / or Wi-Fi signals, or even using, for example, infrared (IR) signals. Multiple wireless network devices can be connected, for example, in a star network topology or a mesh network topology.
[0043] In the example, wireless network devices 125a-c can be lighting devices. Wireless network devices 125a-c can be any device, such as sensing devices, entertainment devices (such as audio / video devices), and / or network gateways. Each wireless network device 125a-c may include at least a wireless transceiver (not shown) for transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from the control modules 120, 120a-b, and / or other wireless network devices 125a-c. Wireless network devices 125a-c may also include functional units; for example, a lighting device may include a light source. Power areas / buses 115a-d may include the same type of wireless network devices 125a-c, for example, all devices are lighting devices, or all devices are sensing devices, or alternatively, power areas / buses 115a-d may include different types of wireless network devices 125a-c.
[0044] Power zones / buses 115a-d may also include control modules(s) 120, 120a-b. In the example, power zones / buses 115a-d may include one or more control modules 120, 120a-b. In the exemplary diagram, power zone / bus 115a includes one control module 120, while power zone / bus 115d includes two other control modules 120a-b. In the example, not every power zone / bus 115a-d includes a control module. In the exemplary diagram, power zone / bus 115c does not include control modules(s) 120, 120a-b. Power supply to the control modules(s) 120, 120a-b coupled to power zones / buses 115a-d may also be controlled via corresponding power switching elements 111a-d. Therefore, in the example, when power switching element 111a is in the off state, control module 120 does not receive power. Control operations may include controlling the operating state of wireless network devices 125a-c and / or controlling one or more power switching elements 111a-d to stop / supply power. Control operations may include controlling the operating state of some or all of the wireless network devices 125a-c in the set. In such an example, some wireless network devices 125a-c are controlled by at least one other control module.
[0045] Control module 120 may include processor 122. Processor 122 may be arranged to determine which of a plurality of power switching elements control module 120 receives power via. In other words, processor 122 is arranged to determine which power zone / bus 115a-d control module 120 is coupled to. In this exemplary figure, control module 120 is arranged to receive power via first power switching element 111a. Processor 122 may be further arranged to determine a set of a plurality of wireless network devices 125a-c that receive power via first power switching element 111a. In this exemplary figure, wireless network devices 125a-c receive power via first power switching element 111a. Processor 122 may also be arranged to determine that the set includes all wireless network devices 125a-c that receive power via first power switching element 111a.
[0046] The processor 122 may also be configured to determine the operating state of each wireless network device 125a-c in the set. The operating state relates to the operation of the wireless network device 125a-c; for example, when the wireless network device 125a-c is a lighting device, the operating state may relate to whether the lighting device provides illumination (on state) or does not provide illumination (off state). The operating state may result in: the wireless network devices 125a-c being inactive, so that they do not require power; or they being in a standby state, so that they require less power compared to the power required for normal operation.
[0047] The processor 122 may be further configured to determine whether the control module 120 receives power via the first power switching element 111a. This determination can be performed to explicitly check whether the control module 120 and the set of wireless network devices 125a-c receive power via the same first power switching element 111a. This is because when the control module 120 also receives power via the first power switching element 111a (e.g., ...), ... Figure 1 When receiving power (as shown), a deadlock situation may occur, so controlling the first power switch element 111a to stop power supply may cause the control module 120 to become unable to perform control operations. Therefore, a (first) set of conditions can be evaluated. A (first) set of conditions can be introduced such that when the control module 120 does not receive power via the first power switch element 111a, and based on a determined operating state, for example, when the set of wireless network devices 125a-c does not require power, the processor is then arranged to control the first power switch element 111a to stop supplying power to the set of wireless network devices 125a-c. Therefore, a deadlock situation is avoided.
[0048] In the example, processor 122 may be further arranged to determine whether at least one other control module 120a-b receives power via the first power switching element 111a. This determination involves determining whether more than one control module 120a-b receives power via the first power switching element 111a. In the exemplary figure, power zone / bus 115d shows the presence of two control modules 120a-b, which are arranged to receive power via power switching element 111d. Therefore, under the condition that control module 120 and at least one other control module 120a-b do not receive power via the first power switching element 111a, and further based on the determined operating state, the first power switching element 111a can be controlled to stop supplying power to the collection of wireless network devices 125a-c.
[0049] Figure 2 Another embodiment of a system 200 for controlling multiple power switching elements 111a-d is illustrated schematically and exemplary. The exemplary system 200 is similar to... Figure 1 The system 100 shown, except that the control module 120 is connected to the auxiliary power path 235. Processor 122 (not shown for clarity) Figure 2 The processor 122 (numbered in the middle) can be configured to: evaluate a second set of conditions, wherein the second set of conditions includes the control module 120 receiving power via the first power switching elements 111a-d and based on a determined operating state; (based on a positive evaluation of the second set of conditions) establish an auxiliary power path 235, through which the control module 120 receives power before controlling the first power switching element 111a to stop supplying power to the set of wireless network devices 125a-c. If the control module 120 and the set of wireless network devices 125a-c receive power from the (same) first power switching element 111a, stopping the supply of power to the first power switching element 111a will cause the control module 120 to become unable to perform control operations. Therefore, in this case, before controlling the first power switching element 111a to stop supplying power, the processor 122 can first establish the auxiliary power path 235, through which the control module 120 can receive power.
[0050] In this example, the auxiliary power path 235 may include a power path 235 for receiving power from the energy storage element 230; wherein the power supply from the auxiliary power path is not controlled by the first power switching element 111a. The energy storage element 230 may be, for example, a capacitor (such as an electrolytic capacitor or a supercapacitor), or an array of capacitors and / or batteries. The energy storage element 230 (e.g., a battery) may have standardized dimensions and shapes, such as AA, AAA, C, D, CR123, CR2, etc., and they have defined standard chemical properties (e.g., carbon zinc, alkali, lead acid, NiCd, NiMH, lithium, or lithium-ion chemistry). The energy storage element 230 may be rechargeable, such that a dedicated charging unit (not shown) can be used to charge the energy storage element 230. The capacity of the energy storage element 230 may depend on the power requirements of the control module 120. In this example, when the energy storage element 230 is no longer rechargeable, it may be replaceable, such that the energy storage element 230 is replaced after its lifespan.
[0051] The processor 122 may be further arranged to determine the charge level of the energy storage element 230. The processor 122 may determine the charge level using various methods known in the art, such as determining the state of charge (SoC) of the energy storage element 230. The SoC may be determined, for example, using methods such as coulomb counting, impedance spectroscopy, hydrometer, etc. Any other method known in the art may be used to determine the SoC. The processor 122 may be further arranged to determine whether the determined charge level is above a threshold. This threshold may be based on the energy required for the control module 120 to perform control operations. If the determined charge level is above the threshold, the control module 120 may be arranged to receive power from the energy storage element 230 via an auxiliary power path. Alternatively, the processor 122 may be further arranged to control the first power switching element 111a to resume (at least) supplying power to the control module 120 if the determined charge level is below the threshold. The determination of the charge level of the energy storage element 230 may be performed at random times. In another example, when the control module 120 receives power via the first power switching element 111a, the determination can be performed, and if the determined charging level is above a threshold, the processor 122 can be arranged to control the first power switching element 111a to stop supplying power to the network of wireless network devices 125a-c, and subsequently arranged to receive power from the energy storage element 230. In another example, when the control module 120 does not receive power from the first power switching element 111a, the determination of the charging level of the energy storage element 230 can be performed, and if the determined charging level is below a threshold, the processor 122 can be arranged to control the first power switching element 111a to restore at least a power supply to the control module 120. In these examples, when the control module 120 receives power from the energy storage element 230, the control operation of the control module 120 can be restricted.
[0052] In addition to and / or instead of receiving power from energy storage element 230, processor 122 may be further arranged to: evaluate a second set of conditions, wherein the second set of conditions includes the control module 120 receiving power via a first power switching element 111a and based on a determined operating state; (based on a positive evaluation of the second set of conditions) allocate at least one other control module 120a-b to perform control operations of control module 120; wherein the control operations may include controlling the operating state of a set of at least wireless network devices 125a-c and / or controlling multiple power switching elements 111a-d; and subsequently controlling the first power switching element 111a to stop supplying power to the set of wireless network devices 125a-c. In this example, at least one other control module 120a-b may be arranged to take over the control operations of control module 120 before control module 120 becomes unable to perform the control operations associated with control module 120. Control module 120 may allocate more than one other control module 120a-b to perform control operations, for example, based on the suitability of performing control operations with respect to available processing power, memory, etc. The allocation may include transmitting information about the controlled set of wireless network devices 125a-c (such as network ID, type, etc.) and information about the power switching element 111a through which the control module 120 receives power.
[0053] The processor 122 can be further configured to monitor which of the other control modules 120a-b has been assigned to perform control operations. The processor 122 can be configured to monitor whether power supply via power switching elements 111a-d corresponding to another control module 120a-b has stopped, in this exemplary case... Figure 1 In this context, for another control module 120a, the corresponding power switching element is 111d. Under the condition that power supply via the corresponding power switch 111a is stopped, the corresponding power switching element 111a can be controlled to supply power to at least the other control module 120a, so that the other control module 120a can perform control operations.
[0054] The processor 122 can also be configured to monitor whether the wireless network devices 125a-c require control by at least one other control module 120a-b, and to monitor whether power supply to the corresponding at least one other control module 120a-b is stopped via power switching elements 111a-d. In the example, the wireless network device 125a-c to be controlled and the at least one other control module 120a-b configured to control the wireless network device 125a-c can receive power via the same power switching elements 111a-d. In this example, the wireless network device 125a-c can also receive power from an energy storage element (not shown). Therefore, when power supply from the (same) power switching element stops, only the at least one other control module 120a-b cannot perform control operations, while the wireless network device 125a-c can operate by receiving power from the energy storage element. In an alternative example, the wireless network device 125a-c and the at least one other control module 120a-b receive power via different power switching elements 111a-d. The processor 122 can also be configured to control the respective power switching elements 111a-d to supply power to at least one other control module 120a-b when the power supply via the respective power switches 111a-d is stopped.
[0055] Figure 3An embodiment of a control module 320 for controlling multiple power switching elements 111a-d is illustrated schematically and exemplary. The control module 320 may include, for example, a processor 322 to perform control operations. The control module 320 may further include an input unit 321 and an output unit 323. The input unit 321 and the output unit 323 may be contained in a transceiver (not shown) arranged for receiving (input unit 321) and transmitting (output unit 323) communication and / or control signals. The communication / control signals may be used for communication with other control modules 120a-b, with the multiple power switching elements 111a-d, and / or at least with the collection of wireless network devices 125a-c. Control module 320 may include memory 325, which may be arranged to: store a list of a plurality of other control modules 120a-b; and for each of the other control modules 120a-b, store a list of corresponding power switching elements 111a-d, each of the other control modules 120a-b being arranged to receive power via the list of the corresponding power switching elements 111a-d. Memory 325 may be one or more of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), fast cycle RAM (FCRAM), static RAM (SRAM), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). Processor 322 may be arranged to retrieve the list from memory 325.
[0056] Figure 4A flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method 400 for controlling multiple power switching elements 111a-d is shown schematically and exemplary. Method 400 may include the step of determining 410 which of the multiple power switching elements 111a-b the control modules 120, 320 receives power via. Method 400 may further include the step of determining 420 a set of multiple wireless network devices 125a-c that receive power via the first power switching element 111a. Method 400 may further include the step of determining 430 that the set includes all wireless network devices 125a-c that receive power via the first power switching element 111a. Determination 430 may be performed to confirm that the set is complete and that no other wireless network devices 125a-c besides those included in the set also receive power via the first power switching element 111a. Determination 440 is performed to determine the operational state of each wireless network device 125a-c in the set. Method 400 may further include the step of determining 450 whether the control modules 120, 320 receive power via the first power switching element 111a. Determining 450 confirms that the set of wireless network devices 125a-c and control modules 120 and 320 receive power via the same power switching element 111a. A set of conditions can be evaluated at 455 to avoid deadlock, ensuring that control modules 120 and 320 remain able to perform control operations associated with them.
[0057] The set of conditions may include, for example, the operating state of the set of wireless network devices 125a-c as a first condition. A second condition may be that control modules 120, 320 do not receive power via the first power switch 111a. Therefore, when these conditions are met (as indicated by 456), processors 122, 322 may be arranged to control the first power switch element 111a to stop supplying power to the set of wireless network devices 125a-c. When the operating state of the set of wireless network devices 125a-c may be, for example, such that each device in the set does not require power, the first power switch element 111a may be controlled to stop supplying power to the set of wireless network devices 125a-c.
[0058] If at least one other control module 120a-b also receives power via the first power switch element 111a, controlling the first power switch element 111a to stop supplying power to the network wireless network devices 125a-c based solely on the aforementioned evaluation 455 may prevent the at least one other control module 120a-b from performing its control operations. Processors 122, 322 may be arranged to determine whether the at least one other control module receives power via the first power switch element 111a.
[0059] A third condition can be introduced in evaluation 455, namely, that control module 120 and at least one other control module 120a-b do not receive power via the first power switching element. Based on this set of conditions, evaluation 455 can control 460 to stop the first power switching element 111a from supplying power.
[0060] When the set of conditions—that is, control module 120 and / or at least one other control module 120a-b receiving power / not receiving power via the first power switching element 111a—is not met, such as Figure 4 As indicated by 457, processors 122 and 322 can be arranged to establish an auxiliary power path 235, through which control module 120 receives power before control element 111a stops supplying power to the network of wireless network devices 125a-c. Establishing 450 may include receiving power or activating a path to receive power. The auxiliary power path 235 may include a power path for receiving power from energy storage element 230; wherein the power supply from the auxiliary power path 235 is not controlled by the first power switching element 111a.
[0061] When the computer program product is run on the processing unit of a computing device (such as the processor 122 of system 100), method 400 can be executed by the computer program code of the computer program product.
[0062] It should be noted that the above embodiments are illustrative and not limiting of the invention, and those skilled in the art will be able to devise many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
[0063] In the claims, any reference numerals placed between parentheses should not be construed as limiting the claims. The use of the verb "comprising" and its variations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in the claims. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several different elements and by means of a suitably programmed computer or processing unit. In an apparatus claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by the same hardware item. The mere fact that certain measures are referenced in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously.
[0064] Various aspects of this invention can be implemented in a computer program product, which may be a collection of computer program instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device, executable by a computer. The instructions of this invention can be any interpretable or executable code mechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpretable programs, dynamic link libraries (DLLs), or Java classes. The instructions can be provided as a complete executable program, a partial executable program, as a modification (e.g., an update) of an existing program, or as an extension (e.g., a plugin) of an existing program. Furthermore, some processing of this invention can be distributed across multiple computers or processors or even the “cloud.”
[0065] Storage media suitable for storing computer program instructions include all forms of non-volatile memory, including but not limited to EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices, hard disks such as internal and external hard disk drives, removable hard disks, and CD-ROMs. Computer program products may be distributed on such storage media or made available for download via HTTP, FTP, email, or through a server connected to a network such as the Internet.
Claims
1. A control module (120, 120a-b) for controlling a plurality of power switching elements (111a-d), each power switching element being arranged to control the supply of power to one or more wireless network devices (125a-c); Its features are, The control module includes a processor, the processor being configured to: - Determine which of the plurality of power switching elements (111a-d) the control module receives power through; - Determine a set of multiple wireless network devices (125a-c) that receive power via a first power switching element; - Determine that the set includes all wireless network devices (125a-c) that receive power via the first power switching element; - Determine the operational status of each wireless network device in the set; - Determine whether the control module receives power via the first power switching element; - Evaluate a first set of conditions; wherein the first set of conditions includes the control module not receiving power via the first power switching element, and the determined operating state indicating that each wireless network device in the set does not require power; - Based on the positive results of the evaluation of the first set of conditions, control the first power switching element to stop supplying power to the set of wireless network devices.
2. The control module (120, 120a-b) according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further arranged for: - Determine whether at least one other control module is receiving power from the first power switching element; and The first set of conditions also includes the fact that the control module and at least one other control module do not receive power via the first power switching element.
3. The control module (120, 120a-b) according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further arranged for, - Evaluate a second set of conditions, wherein the second set of conditions includes The control module receives power via the first power switch element, and the determined operating state indicates that each wireless network device in the set does not require power. - Based on the positive results of the evaluation of the second set of conditions, an auxiliary power path is established, through which the control module can receive power, and - When establishing the auxiliary power path, control the first power switching element to stop supplying power to the network of wireless network devices (125a-c).
4. The control module (120, 120a-b) according to claim 3, wherein the auxiliary power path includes a power path for receiving power from the energy storage element; wherein the power supply from the auxiliary power path is not controlled by the first power switching element.
5. The control module (120, 120a-b) according to claim 4, wherein the processor is further arranged to determine the charging level of the energy storage element; and The second set of conditions also includes the determined charging level being higher than a threshold.
6. The control module (120, 120a-b) according to claim 5, wherein, when the determined charging level is below a threshold, the processor is further arranged to: - Control the first power switching element to restore power supply to the control module.
7. The control module (120, 120a-b) according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further arranged for: - Evaluate a second set of conditions, wherein the second set of conditions includes the control module receiving power via the first power switching element, and the determined operating state indicating that each wireless network device in the set does not require power. - Based on the positive results of the evaluation of the second set of conditions, at least one other control module is assigned to perform control operations associated with the control module; wherein the control operations include controlling the operational state of at least the set of wireless network devices and / or controlling the plurality of power switching elements (111a-d); and - When assigning at least one other control module to perform control operations associated with the control module, control the first power switching element to stop supplying power to the network network devices (125a-c).
8. The control module (120, 120a-b) according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the control module further comprises a memory arranged to: store a list of a plurality of other control modules; and for each of the other control modules, store a list of corresponding power switching elements, each of the other control modules being arranged to receive power via the list of corresponding power switching elements.
9. The control module (120, 120a-b) according to claim 8, wherein the processor is further arranged for: - Monitor whether the wireless network device needs to be controlled by at least one other control module; - Monitor whether the power supply via the power switching element corresponding to the at least one other control module has stopped; as well as Under the condition of power outage; - Control the power switching element corresponding to another control module to provide power to at least one other control module.
10. The control module (120, 120a-b) according to claim 1, wherein the wireless network device is a lighting device, and the control module is arranged to control the operating state of the lighting device.
11. A power distribution board (110) comprising a plurality of power switching elements (111a-d) and a control module according to claim 1.
12. A system (100) for controlling a plurality of power switching elements (111a-d); comprising: -A wireless communication network including multiple wireless network devices (125a-c); - The control module according to claim 1.
13. A method for controlling multiple power switching elements; The method includes the following steps: - Determine which of the plurality of power switching elements the control module receives power from; - Determine a set of multiple wireless network devices that receive power via a first power switching element; - Determine that the set includes all wireless network devices that receive power via the first power switching element; - Determine the operational status of each wireless network device in the set; - Determine whether the control module receives power via the first power switching element; - Evaluate a first set of conditions; wherein the first set of conditions includes the control module not receiving power via the first power switching element, and the determined operating state indicating that each wireless network device in the set does not require power; Based on the positive results of the evaluation, the first power switching element is controlled to stop supplying power to the collection of wireless network devices.
14. A computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of the method of claim 13.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Load condition controlled power strip
US20090322160A1
Energy utilization method of autonomous monitoring equipment
CN106130101A
Intelligent household power supply controller
CN201698189U