Method and system for commissioning an environmental sensor

Abstract

To provide methods and systems for commissioning building environmental sensors.SOLUTION: A system provided herein comprises a commissioning device 101 configured to move about an environment of a building (inside and / or outside) and detect building environmental sensors 113a-113k installed in the environment. For each of the environmental sensors, in response to detecting an environmental sensor, the system retrieves an identifier for the environmental sensor, to determine whether the environmental sensor is registered with the system. If the environmental sensor is registered with the system, the system will not automatically implement a commissioning process with the environmental sensor. If the environmental sensor is not registered with the system, the system will automatically implement the commissioning process with the environmental sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] Most modern buildings have multiple environmental sensors located in various locations. Sensors such as thermostats and other temperature sensors, light sensors, and motion detectors can be used to measure one or more variables about the state of the building, and those measurements can be used to control HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, lighting systems, and other systems. Additionally, security sensors such as door and window open sensors, cameras, audio recorders, and motion detectors can be used to determine whether building security has been breached.

[0002] When new sensors are installed in a building, and periodically at other times, such as when maintenance or upgrades are performed, many sensors must be commissioned before they can provide effective operation. Commissioning a sensor may include registering the sensor's identity and location with a central system, applying operational parameters to the sensor (e.g., set points and / or conditions at which the sensor will trigger a signal), calibrating the sensor so that it takes appropriate measurements, testing the sensor, and / or taking other actions.

[0003] The process of commissioning sensors and associated components or systems can often be expensive and unreliable. For example, if a sensor fails or if the sensor commissioning process is not completed properly, there is no easy way to identify that sensor operation may be impaired. In many scenarios, this can limit the number and types of devices that can be installed. For example, most buildings have only one temperature sensor per room, and many buildings monitor multiple rooms using a single temperature sensor. Many building HVAC systems could be operated more intelligently and efficiently if more comprehensive monitoring data were available. Furthermore, a significant cost in operating a building HVAC system is the cost of determining the relationship between sensors, the comfort of building occupants, and the effect of actuators on sensors. This typically requires a system identification period during which various actuators are extensively adjusted and the building and sensor responses to the actuators are confirmed. This procedure can disrupt occupant activities currently taking place. A method that can minimize this disruption is desirable.

[0004] This document describes methods and systems directed to addressing the technical challenges set forth above and / or other problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In various embodiments, a system including a portable electronic device, autonomous or otherwise, is programmed to commission building environmental sensors. The portable device includes a device that moves around a building environment (interior and / or exterior) and detects building environmental sensor devices installed in the environment. For each sensor device, in response to detecting the sensor device, the system retrieves an identifier for the sensor device and determines whether the sensor device is registered with a control system. If the sensor device is registered with the control system, the system does not automatically perform the commissioning process with the sensor device (i.e., without determining whether one or more conditions are met, as described below). If the sensor device is not registered with the control system, the system automatically performs the commissioning process with the sensor device.

[0006] To perform the commissioning process, the system may, for each sensor, one or more of: (a) transmitting the sensor device's location and identifier to the control system; (b) transmitting to the sensor device a token that the sensor device can use to communicate with the control system over a wireless network; or (c) transmitting one or more configuration parameters to the sensor device. Additionally or alternatively, in the commissioning process, the system may determine whether the sensor device requires calibration by detecting a first value of an environmental parameter using an environmental sensor of the electronic device, querying the sensor device for a second value of the environmental parameter detected by a component of the sensing device, and comparing the first and second values ​​to determine whether the first and second values ​​match (where the term "match" does not necessarily mean exact match and can include a tolerance level or threshold difference). If the values ​​do not match, the system may determine that the sensing device requires calibration.

[0007] If the system includes a camera, to detect building environmental sensor devices, the system may analyze images captured by the camera to recognize codes corresponding to the sensors in the images. Suitable codes include, for example, two-dimensional barcodes, three-dimensional barcodes, or alphanumeric codes. Additionally or alternatively, the system may use an object classifier to analyze images captured by the camera and identify objects that are sensors in the images.

[0008] Optionally, to determine the location of the sensor device, the system may do one or more of: (a) receive images from a camera of the system, process the images to recognize known landmarks in the images, access a map of the environment, and determine a location that corresponds to the location of the known landmarks in the map; (b) receive images from the camera, output the images on a display of the portable electronic device or remote control system, and receive a location via a user interface of the portable electronic device or remote control system; (c) receive signals from beacons in the environment in which the system is moving and process the signals using a triangulation process to obtain a location; or (d) run a simultaneous localization and mapping algorithm on an autonomous mobile robotic device carrying a camera as the autonomous mobile robotic device moves about the environment.

[0009] Optionally, the portable electronic device may query the sensor device for a battery level report and analyze a signal received from the sensor device in response to the query, and when the signal indicates that the battery level of the sensor device is below a threshold, the system generates a low battery warning. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 shows an example of an environment in which a building environmental sensor is installed. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates a process by which the system may commission a set of building environmental sensors. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates examples of components that a building environmental sensor may include. [Figure 4] 1 shows an example of components of a commissioning device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] As used in this document, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used in this document, the term "comprising" or "comprises" means "including, but not limited to." As used in this document, the term "exemplary" is intended to mean "by way of example" and is not intended to imply that any particular exemplary item is preferred or required.

[0012] In this document, when such terms "first" and "second" are used to modify nouns, such use is intended merely to distinguish one item from another and is not intended to require sequential order, unless specifically stated. The term "approximately," when used in connection with a numerical value, is intended to include values ​​that are near, but not exactly, that number. For example, in some embodiments, the term "approximately" may include values ​​within + / - 10 percent of a value.

[0013] Further terms relevant to this disclosure are defined at the end of the Detailed Description section.

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment that is a building layout having multiple rooms 112a...112j and a hallway 118 leading to the entrances to each room. Any number of building environmental sensors 113a...113k are installed in the rooms, hallways, or other building areas. The sensors may be attached to or integrated with (i) the walls, ceilings, or floors of the rooms or hallways, or (ii) furniture or other objects within the rooms or hallways. Alternatively, some sensors may be freestanding sensors not attached to any particular element of the room or hallway. The sensors may be temperature-sensing devices, light sensors, humidity sensors, gas-detecting sensors, sound pressure or other audio sensors, motion sensors, and / or other sensors.

[0015] A portable electronic device providing the functionality of the commissioning device embodiment 101 moves through the environment and detects various sensors 113a...113k. The commissioning device 101 can be a portable computing device such as a smartphone, tablet computer, or dedicated data collection unit. The device can be carried by a person or integrated with a wearable electronic device that includes a see-through display that allows images to be generated and displayed for a viewer to see superimposed on the real-world environment, such as an augmented reality (AR) headset, AR glasses, or other wearable AR device. Alternatively, the commissioning device 101 can be carried by or integrated with a robotic vehicle that navigates a facility automatically (or with human guidance) using a stored map and one or more position sensors, such as one or more cameras, and radar, sonar, or LiDAR sensors.

[0016] The commissioning device 101, in some embodiments, may include a first transceiver configured to communicate with building sensors using near-field communication (NFC) or a short-range communication protocol when the device and sensors are within communication range of each other. For example, in FIG. 1 , the commissioning device 101 is nearby and within communication range of sensor 113c. The commissioning device 101 may also include a second transceiver configured to communicate with an external service, such as server 120, over a wireless communication network 123. The wireless communication network 123 may be a cellular network through which the commissioning device 101 communicates with receivers outside the building and / or a local area network through which the commissioning device 101 communicates via one or more wireless access points 125 located at various locations throughout the building.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a process by which a commissioning device may commission building environmental sensors as the device moves about a building environment. The sensors may be at predetermined locations within the environment, and / or the process may include installing one or more new sensors in step 201. The installation may include adding a label or tag to an existing or new sensor, where the label or tag includes a code that identifies the sensor, as described below. As the device moves through the environment (at 202), it detects environmental sensors installed within the environment in 203. The device may detect sensors in any number of ways. For example, the device may have an information receiving system including a camera, in which case images received by the camera may be processed to detect sensors within the camera's field of view. The system may do this in any suitable manner, for example, by known image recognition processes such as those that classify images using convolutional neural networks, processes using principal component analysis or linear discriminant analysis, or other functions. The sensor may also display a visible code on the sensor's display or on a label or tag attached to the sensor. If the code includes letters or numbers, the system may recognize those characters using any suitable optical character recognition (OCR) process. Additionally, or alternatively, the sensor may include one or more recognizable codes marked on the sensor housing, and the system may detect and analyze the codes to determine that the device is a sensor. The codes may be matrix codes, QR codes, and other two-dimensional bar codes, three-dimensional bar codes, or alphanumeric symbols (i.e., letters and numbers), or other codes.

[0018] Alternatively, the sensor may have a transmitter that emits an identifying signal using a protocol such as RFID (radio frequency identification) transmission, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, or other near- or short-range communication protocol. The sensing device may include a receiver with an antenna and other components configured to detect signals according to any of a variety of communication protocols, and may analyze the signals once received and extract the device's identifier from the signals.

[0019] The sensing device's code or signal may include a unique identifier for the sensor device, such as a serial number. The commissioning device may detect the unique identifier in the code (204) and use the identifier to determine (at 205) whether the sensor device is registered with the control system. To do this, the sensor may access a locally stored database of registered devices and determine whether its ID corresponds to an ID in the database. Alternatively, the system may transmit the ID to a remote server having a database of registered devices and query the remote server to return an indication of whether the ID corresponds to an ID in the database. If the system determines (at 205) that the ID does not correspond to an ID in the database, the system begins (at 206) the commissioning process for the sensor. Otherwise, the system may not automatically begin the commissioning process; instead, the system may continue to move forward looking for other sensor devices or determine (at 212) whether other conditions warrant recommissioning the sensor device; examples of these are discussed in more detail below.

[0020] If the system cannot detect the sensor device's unique identifier, or if the device's unique identifier is not recognized, then when determining the device's ID at 204, the commissioning device may optionally assign a new ID to the sensor. In applications where the device communicates with the sensor electronically, the device may transmit the new ID to the sensor. The sensor may then store the ID in its memory or firmware. In applications where the device does not communicate with the sensor by transmitting a signal to the sensor, the device may output a prompt or send a communication to an external computing device with a message indicating that the sensor needs to be provided with a label or tag having an ID.

[0021] The commissioning process may include any of a variety of steps. For example, if the sensor is not yet registered with the control system, the commissioning device may retrieve, generate, or otherwise access a unique access token that the sensor can use to communicate with the control system at 207, and the commissioning device may pass the token to the sensor by transmitting the token to the sensor. The token may, for example, be one that the commissioning device retrieves from the control system or one that the commissioning device generates in accordance with a token-based authentication protocol used by the control system.

[0022] As part of the commissioning process, the system may register the sensor device with the control system at 210 by transmitting sensor information to the control system. The sensor information may include at least the sensor's ID. Additionally, the commissioning device may determine the location of the sensor at 209 and include the location data in the transmitted sensor information at 210. The commissioning device may receive the location data contained in one or more of the signals emitted by the sensor or as part of a code detected by a camera of the coding device. Alternatively, the commissioning device may determine the location of the sensor at 208 using any suitable location determination process, for example: receiving an image from a camera, processing the image to recognize known landmarks in the image, accessing a map of the environment, and determining a location that corresponds to a location of the known landmark in the map; receiving an image from the camera, outputting the image on a display of the commissioning device or on a remote control system, and receiving the position via a user interface of the commissioning device or the remote control system; - Obtaining a position by receiving signals from beacons in the environment in which the commissioning device is moving and processing the signals using a triangulation process; - Receiving position data in a signal via a Global Positioning System sensor of the commissioning device, or -Performing a simultaneous localization and mapping algorithm (SLAM) as the device moves around the environment.

[0023] The commissioning process may also include querying the sensor for one or more parameters, such as battery level, operating hours, data sensed over a period of time, or other information, at 207. The system may include some of this data in the information it sends to the control system, at 210. Optionally, the commissioning device and / or control system may analyze some of the information to determine whether the sensor requires maintenance. For example, the system may query the sensor for a battery level report and analyze the response to determine whether the sensor's battery level is below a threshold. If the battery level is below a threshold, or other returned data indicates that the sensor requires maintenance, the system may generate and include in the information it sends to the control system, and / or the sensor may output a warning on the commissioning device's local user interface.

[0024] As another example, the commissioning process may include calibration of sensors. For example, if the commissioning device includes an environmental sensor, such as a temperature, humidity, or light sensing device, then when interrogating the sensor at 207, the commissioning system may request the current values ​​of any or all of the environmental conditions currently sensed by both the sensor and the commissioning device. If the values ​​detected by the sensor and the commissioning device do not match each other, the commissioning device may send a message to the sensor causing it to begin a calibration process, may send a message to the control system indicating that calibration is required, or both (in this context, "match" may not require an exact match; values ​​may be considered to match if they are within a specified threshold tolerance of each other).

[0025] The commissioning process may also include sending configuration data to the sensor at 211. As noted above, the configuration data may include a unique ID used by the control system to recognize the sensor. The configuration data may also include configuration parameters for operation of the device, such as one or more set points, such as temperature settings, on / off times, or other setting or operating parameters. The commissioning device may retrieve the configuration data from local memory or from the control system over a communications link.

[0026] As noted above, if the sensor device is not registered with the system, the commissioning device automatically initiates the commissioning process at 206. Note that "automatically" in this context may mean without user input or may include outputting a prompt indicating that commissioning is required or sending a query to a remote server indicating that commissioning is required. The actual commissioning may begin upon receiving a response to the prompt or query indicating that commissioning should proceed. Furthermore, if the sensor device is registered with the control system at 205, the system may then determine at 212 whether the sensor device requires recommissioning. The system may use any suitable set of rules for determining this, for example, by determining that recommissioning is required if (a) the sensor device was last commissioned more than a threshold period of time ago, (b) the sensor device has undergone a software or firmware update since it was last commissioned, (c) the sensor device has undergone maintenance since it was last commissioned, (d) the sensor has been moved to a new location, or (e) other criteria are met.

[0027] 3 shows examples of components that may be included in environmental sensor 113. The components include a sensing element 301, a memory 302, a processor 303, a communication system 304, and a power source 305. Optionally, the sensor may also include a user interface 306, such as a display, an audio speaker, and / or one or more indicator lights for displaying measured parameters, status messages (such as a message indicating that maintenance is required), or other messages.

[0028] If the sensor 113 is a temperature sensor, the sensing element 301 may include, for example, a thermocouple, bimetal thermostat, thermistor, or resistive temperature detector (RTD). If the sensor 113 is an optical sensor, the sensing element 301 may include, for example, a photoelectric or photoconductive cell, a light-dependent resistor, a photovoltaic cell, an optical junction device such as a photodiode or phototransistor, or other device. Other types of sensors are possible. If the sensor 113 is a humidity sensor, the sensing element 301 may include, for example, a capacitive sensor including a thin strip of metal oxide between two electrodes. If the sensor 113 is a gas detection sensor, the sensing element 301 may include, for example, an electrochemical sensor with a sensing electrode capable of measuring carbon monoxide or other gases, an infrared transmitter and receiver that compares transmitted light with reflected received light and determines whether the difference between the two light flows indicates the possible presence of hydrocarbon gas, or a catalytic sensor having a coil that oxidizes upon contact with a flammable gas. If the sensor 113 is a motion sensor, the sensing element 301 may include, for example, a passive infrared sensor transmitter and receiver that compares transmitted light with reflected received light to determine whether a moving object is obstructing the light path. Other types of sensors may be used.

[0029] The power source 305 of the sensor 113 may include, for example, a battery, a solar panel, or a wire or other conductor leading to an external power source.

[0030] If the sensor includes memory data 302, the sensor may include a device or segment (e.g., memory sector) for storing data acquired by the sensing element and a device or sector for storing programming instructions used by the sensor's processor 303 to manage the data stored in the memory. The sensor's communication system 304 may include a transmitter and / or receiver for wireless communication, a communication port configured to accept USB, HDMI, or any other type of wired communication link, or any combination of these designed to transmit data to and / or receive data from other devices. When a wireless communication system is available, the other device may be configured in an Internet-of-Things (IoT)-type configuration using a relatively low-energy, short-range data transmission protocol, such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (BLE), Zigbee, or Z-wave; an NFC protocol, e.g., one using RFID tags; or another open or proprietary transmission protocol. In some embodiments, the system may also include a transceiver configured to communicate with a central or remote control system via a local Wi-Fi network. Regardless of the protocol used, the programming instructions of the sensor may instruct the processor to configure data for transmission or otherwise sending according to the protocol.

[0031] As noted above, some sensor devices may include a housing on which may be imprinted a code 307, such as a two-dimensional barcode, a matrix barcode (as shown), a three-dimensional barcode, or another code. The code 307 may be imprinted directly on the housing or on a label or tag attached to the housing.

[0032] While this document focuses on applications for commissioning environmental sensors 113, the methods and systems may also be applied to other equipment that includes some or all of the features shown in FIG. 3 . For example, instead of environmental sensors, the methods and systems may be used to commission HVAC equipment such as heating or air conditioning units, production sensors or manufacturing equipment in a manufacturing facility, printing devices in a print shop or office environment, and / or other devices. The equipment may also include one or more networked personal comfort devices, such as personal fans or small individual units or heating units. The equipment may also include other devices, such as window coverings, such as remotely controlled shades or blinds. When occupants adjust these devices, the operating setpoints to achieve personal comfort may serve as a personalized measure of building comfort. For such applications, the words “sensor” or “environmental sensor” in the relevant portions of this specification are replaced with the name of the appropriate device.

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates example components of the commissioning device 101. The commissioning device includes a processor 401 and a memory having programming instructions 402 for instructing the processor to perform the methods described herein. The commissioning device 101 may also include a data store 403 for storing setpoints and / or other data that the device sends to nearby building environmental sensors. The first communication system 406 may include an antenna or other transceiver, a communication port, or both, and may be configured to receive data by communicating with nearby sensors via NFC or a short-range communication protocol, as described above. The second communication system 407 may include a transceiver configured to send data to an external service, for example, via Wi-Fi or a cellular network. Additional communication devices may be included, each configured to receive data transmitted via a transmission protocol different from those provided by the first and second communication systems. The data collection device also includes a user interface 409 for outputting information to and / or receiving information from a user of the device. By way of example, the user interface 409 may include a display device on which the system may output maps, navigation instructions, or other information. If the commissioning device is a wearable AR device, the user interface 409 may be a see-through display device. In such a situation, the system may use the camera 411 of the commissioning device to capture images corresponding to the field of view of the AR device as it moves through the environment, or may use a recognition process such as described above in the discussion of FIG. 2 to identify and recognize sensors within the field of view in real time as the AR device moves.

[0034] The user interface 409 may also include a speaker through which the system may output navigation instructions or other information audibly. In some embodiments, the data collection device may also include one or more environmental sensors 410, such as a temperature sensor, a light sensor, a humidity sensor, or a gas detection sensor. As noted above, the commissioning device may also include one or more cameras 411 for capturing images of the environment as the device moves through the environment.

[0035] In some embodiments, the data collection device may be a component of or carried by a mobile robotic device. The mobile robotic device includes motion control hardware components 408, such as wheels and motors, that enable the device to move through a building in response to commands from a processor. The robotic device may include an autonomous motion control system that generates and executes a trajectory for the robotic device with minimal or no human intervention. Alternatively, the robotic device may receive navigation commands from a human operator via a local or remote user interface. The robotic device stores map data 404 in memory or receives map data from an external service. The robotic device also has one or more onboard proximity sensors 405 configured to detect features near the robotic device within the environment in which the robotic device is moving. Examples of proximity sensors 405 include a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, a camera, and / or radar, sonar, or LiDAR sensors. The robotic device's processor 401 processes the map data 404 and data received from the onboard sensors to determine the location of the robotic device within the facility and to navigate the robotic device throughout the facility. Any now known or later developed robotic device and navigation process may be used, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 10,562,184, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0036] Terms relevant to this disclosure include the following:

[0037] An "electronic device" or "computing device" refers to a device or system that includes a processor and memory. Each device may have its own processor and / or memory, or the processor and / or memory may be shared with other devices, such as in a virtual machine or container configuration. The memory contains or receives programming instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to perform one or more operations in accordance with the programming instructions. Examples of electronic devices include personal computers, servers, mainframes, virtual machines, containers, gaming systems, televisions, digital home assistants, and mobile electronic devices such as smartphones, fitness tracking devices, wearable virtual reality devices, internet-connected wearables such as smart watches and smart eyewear, personal digital assistants, cameras, tablet computers, laptops, and media players. Electronic devices may also include appliances and other devices capable of communicating in an Internet of Things configuration, such as smart thermostats, refrigerators, connected light bulbs, and other devices. Electronic devices may also include vehicle components such as dashboard entertainment systems and navigation systems, as well as on-board vehicle diagnostic and operational systems. In a client-server configuration, the client device and the server are electronic devices, and the server contains instructions and / or data that the client device accesses via one or more communication links in one or more communication networks. In a virtual machine configuration, the server may be an electronic device, and each virtual machine or container may also be considered an electronic device. In the above discussion, the client device, server device, virtual machine, or container may be referred to simply as a "device" for brevity. Additional elements that may be included in an electronic device that is a data collection device are discussed above in connection with FIG. 4.

[0038] The terms "processor" and "processing device" refer to hardware components of an electronic device configured to execute programming instructions. Except where specifically noted, the singular terms "processor" and "processing device" are intended to include both embodiments of a single processing device and embodiments in which multiple processing devices together or collectively perform a process.

[0039] The terms "memory," "memory device," "computer-readable medium," "data store," "data storage facility," and the like each refer to a non-transitory device in which computer-readable data, programming instructions, or both are stored. Except where specifically noted, the terms "memory," "memory device," "computer-readable medium," "data store," "data storage facility," and the like are intended to include embodiments of a single device, embodiments in which multiple memory devices together or collectively store a set of data or instructions, as well as individual sectors within such a device. A memory may include programming instructions configured to cause a processor to perform any of the actions described above in this document. A computer program product is a memory device in which programming instructions are stored.

[0040] As used herein, the terms “robotic device” and “robotic system” refer to an electronic device or system that includes a processor, programming instructions, and one or more physical hardware components that can move with minimal or no human intervention in response to commands from the processor. Through such movement, the robotic device may perform one or more automated functions or sets of functions. Examples of such movements, functions, or tasks may include, but are not limited to, operating wheels or propellers to accomplish driving, flying, or other transportation actions, and / or operating a robotic lift for loading, unloading, medical-related processes, construction-related processes, etc. As noted above, the robotic device may include an autonomous motion control system that generates and implements the robotic device's trajectory with minimal or no human intervention. Alternatively, the robotic device may receive navigation commands from a human operator via a local or remote user interface. Examples of robotic devices may include, but are not limited to, delivery robots, autonomous vehicles, drones, and other autonomous robotic devices.

[0041] In this document, the term "transceiver" refers to a device that includes an antenna and other components that can transmit data to and / or receive data from one or more other devices over a wireless communication path.

[0042] As used in this document, the terms "communication link" and "communication path" refer to a wired or wireless path through which a first device transmits and / or receives communication signals to and / or from one or more other devices. Devices are "communicatively coupled" if they can transmit and / or receive data via a communication link. "Electronic communication" refers to the transmission of data via one or more signals between two or more electronic devices, whether through a wired or wireless network, and whether directly or indirectly via one or more intermediate devices.

[0043] The above-described features and functions, and alternatives, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements may occur to those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.

Claims

1. 1. A system for commissioning a building environmental sensor, the system comprising: a portable electronic device including a processor, a receiver, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium including programming instructions that, as the portable electronic device is moved about an environment, cause the processor to: detecting, via the receiver, each of a plurality of building environment sensor devices installed in the environment; for each of the sensor devices, in response to detecting the sensor device: determining an identifier for the sensor device; determining whether the sensor device is registered with a control system; If the sensor device is registered with the control system, determining whether the sensor device requires recommissioning; responsive to determining that the sensor device requires recommissioning, performing a commissioning process with the sensor device; A system configured to automatically perform the commissioning process with the sensor device if the sensor device is not registered with the control system.

2. The instructions for automatically performing the commissioning process include: determining a position of the sensor device; The system of claim 1 , further comprising instructions for transmitting the location and the identifier to the control system.

3. The instructions for performing the commissioning process include: identifying a token from the control system that can be used by the sensor device to communicate with the control system over a wireless network; The system of claim 1 , further comprising instructions for transmitting the token to the sensor device.

4. the receiver includes a camera; The instructions for detecting each of the building environmental sensor devices include: analyzing an image captured by the camera to recognize a code within the image, the code comprising one or more of a two-dimensional barcode, a three-dimensional barcode, or an alphanumeric code; The system of claim 1 , including instructions for, upon detection of one of the codes, analyzing the detected code to extract the identifier of the sensor device from the detected code.

5. the receiver includes a camera; The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions for detecting each of the building environmental sensor devices include instructions for analyzing an image captured by the camera to identify an object in the image that is a sensor device.

6. the receiver includes a camera; the system comprises a wearable augmented reality device including a see-through display; The instructions for detecting the building environment sensor device include: causing the camera to capture the images corresponding to a field of view of the see-through display in real time as the wearable augmented reality device moves through the environment; The system of claim 1 , including instructions for determining whether any of the sensor devices appear within the field of view of the see-through display in real time.

7. The instructions for detecting each of the building environmental sensor devices include: analyzing a signal received via the receiver, the signal comprising one or more of a radio frequency signal, a near field communication signal, or an optical signal; The system of claim 1 , including instructions for, upon detection of one of the signals, analyzing the detected signal to extract the identifier of the device from the detected signal.

8. the instructions for determining the location of the sensor device further comprising: receiving an image from a camera of the system, processing the image to recognize known landmarks within the image, accessing a map of the environment, and determining that the location corresponds to a location of the known landmark within the map; receiving an image from the camera, outputting the image on a display of the portable electronic device or remote control system, and receiving the position via a user interface of the portable electronic device or the remote control system; or 3. The system of claim 2, comprising instructions to do one or more of: receiving signals from a plurality of beacons in the environment in which the system is moving; processing the signals using a triangulation process to obtain the location.

9. The instructions for performing the commissioning process include: Detecting a first value of an environmental parameter via an environmental sensor of the portable electronic device; querying the sensor device for a second value of the environmental parameter detected by a component of the sensing device; comparing the first value with the second value to determine whether the first value and the second value match; The system of claim 1 , further comprising instructions for determining that the sensor device requires calibration in response to determining that the first value and the second value do not match.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a mobile robotic system.

11. The system of claim 2 , wherein the instructions for determining the location include instructions for executing a simultaneous localization and mapping algorithm as the portable electronic device moves about the environment.

12. the instructions for automatically performing the commissioning process with the sensor device include: determining one or more configuration parameters for the sensor device; The system of claim 1 , further comprising instructions for transmitting the one or more configuration parameters to the sensor device.

13. for each of the sensor devices, in response to detecting the sensor device: Querying the sensor device for a battery level report; analyzing signals received from the sensor device in response to the query; The system of claim 1 , further comprising instructions for generating an alert when the signal indicates that the battery level of the sensor device is below a threshold.

14. The instructions for determining whether the sensor device requires recommissioning include: determining whether the sensor device was last commissioned more than a threshold period of time ago; determining whether the sensor device has received a software or firmware update since the sensor device was last commissioned; Determining whether the sensor device has undergone maintenance since it was last commissioned; or and determining whether the sensor device has been moved to a new location.

15. 1. A method of commissioning an environmental sensor for a building, the method comprising: When an electronic device including a processor and a receiver is moving about an environment, the electronic device Detecting each of a plurality of building environment sensor devices installed in the environment via the receiver; for each of the sensor devices, in response to detecting the sensor device: retrieving an identifier of the sensor device; determining whether the sensor device is registered with a control system; If the sensor device is registered with the control system, determining whether the sensor device requires recommissioning; In response to the sensor device requiring recommissioning, performing a commissioning process with the sensor device; and if the sensor device is not registered with the control system, automatically performing the commissioning process with the sensor device.

16. automatically performing the commissioning process includes, for each sensor: transmitting the location and the identifier of the sensor device to the control system; transmitting to the sensor device a token that the sensor device can use to communicate with the control system over a wireless network; transmitting one or more configuration parameters to the sensor device; determining whether the sensor device requires calibration; detecting a first value of an environmental parameter using an environmental sensor of the electronic device; querying the sensor device for a second value of the environmental parameter detected by a component of the sensor device; comparing the first value and the second value to determine whether the first value and the second value match; and by determining that the sensor device requires calibration when the first value and the second value do not match.

17. the receiver includes a camera; detecting each of the building environment sensor devices; analyzing an image captured by the camera to recognize a code in the image corresponding to a sensor, the code comprising one or more of a two-dimensional barcode, a three-dimensional barcode, or an alphanumeric code; or The method of claim 15 , comprising analyzing an image captured by the camera to identify an object in the image that is a sensor.

18. Receiving an image from a camera of the electronic device, processing the image to recognize known landmarks in the image, accessing a map of the environment, and determining that the location corresponds to a location of the known landmark in the map; receiving an image from the camera, outputting the image on a display of the electronic device or remote control system, and receiving the location via a user interface of the electronic device or remote control system; receiving signals from multiple beacons in the environment in which the electronic device is moving and processing the signals using a triangulation process to obtain the location; or and executing a simultaneous localization and mapping algorithm on the autonomous mobile robotic device carrying the camera as the autonomous mobile robotic device moves about the environment.

19. The electronic device Querying the sensor device for a battery level report; analyzing signals received from the sensor device in response to the query; The method of claim 15 , further comprising: generating an alert when the signal indicates that the battery level of the sensor device is below a threshold.

20. The method of claim 20, wherein determining whether the sensor device requires recommissioning comprises: determining whether the sensor device was last commissioned more than a threshold period of time ago; determining whether the sensor device has received a software or firmware update since the sensor device was last commissioned; Determining whether the sensor device has undergone maintenance since it was last commissioned; or The method of claim 15 , comprising determining whether the sensor device has been moved to a new location.

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