WO2014049085A1

WO2014049085A1 - Control system

Info

Publication number: WO2014049085A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/070125
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gee GOODRICH; Martin HOSEY
Original assignee: DANLERS Ltd
Current assignee: DANLERS Ltd
Priority date: 2012-09-28
Filing date: 2013-09-26
Publication date: 2014-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 2015-03-28
Also published as: GB201217413D0; GB2506419A

Description

CONTROL SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a control system, in particular it relates to a control system for controlling the function of a controlled device or set of controlled devices using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and remote control technology.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a control apparatus comprising: a controller; a Global Navigation Satellite System module in communication with the controller and operable to receive a Global Navigation Satellite System signal; a remote control module in communication with the controller and operable to receive a remote control signal from a remote control device, and a controlled device interface operable to communicate with a controlled device, wherein the controller is operable to provide a control signal to the controlled device interface based on the Global Navigation Satellite System signal and remote control signal, and the controlled device interface is operable responsive to the control signal to control the controlled device.

The control apparatus receives accurate date, time and position data from the GNSS and also receives a remote control signal from a remote control device. The control apparatus allows a controlled device to be controlled based on accurate date, time and position data from the received GNSS signal and on the received remote control signal.

The control apparatus may further comprise: a local sensor operable to provide a local sensor signal to the controller, wherein the controller is operable to provide a control signal to the controlled device interface based on the Global Navigation Satellite System signal, the remote control signal and/or the local sensor signal, and the controlled device interface is operable responsive to the control signal to control the controlled device.

The control apparatus may also include other types of sensor to monitor local conditions that may affect the function of the controlled device(s). The local sensor may comprise one or more of switches, rotary controls (potentiometers, capacitors), temperature measurement transducers, light transducers, colour detectors, sub-sonic transducers, audible sound transducers, ultra-sonic transducers, infra-red detectors, passive infra-red detectors, ultra-violet detectors, radio frequency detectors, microwave frequency detectors, alpha particle detectors, beta particle detectors, gamma particle detectors, X-Ray detectors, vibration detectors, image recognition detectors, biometric sensors/detectors, strain gauge transducers, movement detectors, gas detectors and/or aroma sensors.

The control apparatus may also comprise one or more manually operated controls that may be used to control the function of the controlled device(s). The manually operated control may comprise a switch, a valve, rotary controls (Potentiometers, Capacitors) and or thermostat.

The remote control module may comprise a remote control receiver operable to receive a remote control signal from the remote control device and a remote control decoder operable to decode the remote control signal for transmission to the controller.

The remote control module may comprise a remote control encoder operable to encode a signal from the controller and a remote control transmitter operable to transmit the encoded signal to the remote control device.

The controller may comprise a scheduling table. The controller may be operable to populate the scheduling table with data derived from the remote control signal. The scheduling table may comprise one or more entries, each entry including date, time and control function data, wherein the control function data relates to a required (desired) change in state of the controlled device.

The controller may be operable to periodically poll the Global Navigation Satellite System, wherein if the time and date indicated in the Global Navigation Satellite System signal correspond to an entry in the scheduling table, the controller may be operable to provide a control signal to the controlled device interface based on the control function data in the corresponding entry in the scheduling table and the controlled device interface may be operable responsive to the control signal from the controller to control the controlled device to effect the required change of state of the controlled device.

The controller may further comprise a log table, and the controller may be operable to record the date and time of each change of state of the controlled device in the log table, the controller deriving the date and time data from the received GNSS signal. The controller may be operable to report data from the log table to a remote control device through the remote control module. The controlled device interface may be operable to communicate with a plurality of controlled devices. The Global Navigation Satellite System module may comprise a receiver operable to receive Global Navigation Satellite System signal and a decoder operable to decode the Global Navigation Satellite System signal. The receiver and decoder may be operable according to the National Marine Electronics Association protocol. The decoder may operable to decode the Global Navigation Satellite System signal to provide a serial data stream to the controller in ASCII format. The Global Navigation Satellite System may be the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Globalnaya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS), the Galileo system, the BeiDou Navigation system, or any other suitable Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The remote control module may be operable to communicate with the remote control device by one of infra-red signalling, visible light signalling, ultra-red signalling or radio frequency signalling.

The remote control module may be operable to communicate with the remote control device by Bluetooth, ZigBee, powerG, Zwave, Wireless XI 0, or WirelessHART.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a control system comprising: the above control apparatus; a remote control device in communication with the control apparatus; and controlled device to be controlled by the control apparatus.

The control system may further comprise a plurality of remote control devices, each remote control device operable to communicate with the control apparatus. In use, each remote control device may be carried on the person of a user, each remote control device being operable to communicate a user identification to the control apparatus. The user may be an employee and the user identification may be an employee number. The controller may comprise an access schedule table comprising one or more entries, each entry including user identification, date, time and control function data, thereby defining a user's access rights to a controlled area. The controlled device may be an electronic lock on the door to the controlled area. A first remote control device carried by a first user may be operable to communicate the user identification associated with the first remote control device when the first user requires access to the controlled area, wherein upon receipt of the user identification, the controller of the control apparatus may be operable to determine whether the first user is to be granted access to the controlled area based on the date, time and control function data associated with user identification stored in the access schedule table, and if the first user is to be granted access, providing a control signal to the controlled device interface to control the door to unlock.

The controller may comprise a user log table operable to log the date and time a user enters and exits the controlled area, the controller deriving the date and time data from the received GNSS signal. The control apparatus may further comprise a smoke alarm, wherein if the smoke alarm indicates that there is a fire in the controlled area, the controller may be operable to check the user log to determine if a user is recorded as present in the controlled area, in which case, the controller may be operable to provide a control signal to the controlled device interface to unlock the door.

The controlled device may be a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) communication interface and the controller may further comprise a scheduling table comprising one or more entries, each entry including date, time and DALI function data, wherein the DALI function data relates to a required change in scene of the DALI communication interface.

The controller may be operable to populate the scheduling table with data derived from the remote control signal from a remote control device. The controller may be operable to periodically poll the Global Navigation Satellite System signal, wherein if the time and date indicated in the Global Navigation Satellite System signal correspond to an entry in the scheduling table, the controller may be operable to provide a control signal to the controlled device interface based on the DALI function data in the corresponding entry in the scheduling table and the controlled device interface may be operable responsive to the control signal from the controller to control the DALI communication interface to effect the required change of state in the controlled device. The controlled device may be a relay for switching a load.

The control apparatus may comprise a passive infra-red sensor and a LUX level detector. The remote control device may be operable to communicate with the control apparatus to set in the controller an enabled start time, an enabled end time, a LUX level below which the control apparatus can switch on the load, a time delay to hold the load switched on after both movement has been detected by the passive infra-red sensor and the LUX level has been reached. If the controller receives a signal from the passive infra-red sensor that movement has been detected, a signal from the LUX sensor that the LUX level has been reached and if the current time and date derived from the GNSS signal is within the boundaries set by the remote control device, the controller may be operable to provide a control signal to the controlled device interface, which is responsive to the control signal to control the relay to turn on the load. The load may be a lamp.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures of which: Figure 1 schematically shows a control system in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

Figure 2 schematically shows the application logic of the control system of Figure 1 ; Figure 3A and 3B is a flow chart showing operation of the control system of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 schematically shows the control system of a first example implementation; Figure 5 is a flow chart showing operation of the control system of Figure 4;

Figure 6 schematically shows the control system of a second example implementation;

Figure 7 schematically shows the control system of a third example implementation; Figure 8 schematically shows the control system of a fourth example implementation;

Figure 9 schematically shows the control system of a fifth example implementation; and Figure 10 schematically shows the control system of a sixth example implementation.

Figure 1 schematically shows a control system 100 comprising a control interface 102, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) 104 in communication with the control interface 102 and a remote control device 106 in communication with the control interface 102. The control interface 102 is operable to control the function of a controlled device 108 based on signals received from the GNSS 104 and the remote control device 106.

Although Figure 1 shows only a single controlled device 108, it should be appreciated that the control interface 102 may be operable to control a plurality of controlled devices 108.

The control interface 102 comprises a control unit 1 10 that is in communication with the GNSS 104 through a GNSS module 1 12 and the remote control device 106 through a remote control module 1 14. The control unit 1 10 comprises a controlled device interface 1 1 6 through which the control unit 1 10 can communicate with and control (change the function/state) of the controlled device(s) 108. The controlled device interface 1 16 is operable to transmit control signals to the controlled device(s) 108 to control the controlled device (s) 108 and may also be operable to receive feedback/monitor signals from the controlled device (s) and provide the feedback/monitor signals to the control unit 1 10.

The GNSS module 1 12 is operable to receive and decode GNSS signals from the GNSS 104. The GNSS module 1 10 may comprise a discrete receiver and decoder unit or these units may be integrated into the GNSS module 1 12, as shown in Figure 1 .

A GNSS satellite of the GNSS 104 transmits a GNSS signal that includes precise information on the date, time and position of the GNSS satellite. This GNSS signal is received by the GNSS module 1 10. The GNSS module 1 10 receives GNSS signals from three or more visible satellites of the GNSS 104. The GNSS module 1 10 is operable to decode the GNSS signals from the three or more satellites in order to obtain an accurate time and date and to precisely determine its current location.

The GNSS 104 may the GPS and the GNSS module 1 10 may be a GPS module. The GPS signals may be decoded by the GPS module 1 12 and provided to the control unit 1 10 according to the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) protocol. That is, the decoded GPS signals may be provided†o the control unit 1 10 as a serial data stream in ASCII format.

Alternatively, as will be appreciated, the GNSS 104 of Figure 1 may be the Globalnaya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS), the Galileo system, the BeiDou Navigation system, or any other suitable Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Also, as will be appreciated, the GNSS signals may be decoded according to any other suitable protocol and need not be decoded in accordance with the NMEA protocol.

The remote control device 1 14 module comprises a remote control receiver/decoder 1 18 that is operable to receive remote control signals from the remote control device 106 and to decode the received remote control signals for transmission to the control unit 1 10. The receiver/decoder 1 18 provides data to the controller 1 10 in a format that can be handled by the controller 1 10. As will be appreciated, the receiver/decoder 1 18 may be provided as an integrated unit, as shown in Figure 1 , or may be provided as separate discrete receiver and decoder units.

The remote control device module 1 14 further comprises a remote control transmitter/encoder 120 that is operable to encode signals to be transmitted to the remote control device 106 from the control unit 1 10 and to transmit the encoded signals to the control device 106. The transmitter/encoder 120 provides data to the remote control device 106 in a format compatible with the remote control transmission protocol used by the remote control device 106. As will be appreciated, the receiver/decoder 1 18 may be provided as an integrated unit, as shown in Figure 1 , or may be provided as separate discrete transmitter and encoder units.

It will be appreciated that the remote control device 106 may be any device that is not physically connected (by wire, fibre-optic etc.) to the control interface 102 and that is operable to transmit remote control signals to the control interface 102 by one of many transport mediums such as infra-red signalling, visible light signalling, ultra sonic signalling or radio frequency signalling.

In the example of the remote control device 106 communicating with the control interface 102 by infra-red signalling, remote control signals are sent and received using modulated infra-red. Several standard infra-red protocols may be utilised, including, but not limited to RECS-80, RC-5, RC-6, CEA-931 -A, CEA-931 -B and SIRC.

In the example of the remote control device 106 communicating with the control interface 102 by visible light signalling, remote control signals are sent and received using a modulated light beam in the visible light spectrum.

In the example of the remote control device 106 communicating with the control interface 102 by ultra-sonic signalling, remote control signals are sent and received using a modulated ultra-sonic signalling.

In the example of the remote control device 106 communicating with the control interface 102 by radio frequency signalling, remote control signals are sent and received using a modulated RF signal usually in an Industrial Scientific Medical (ISM) band. Several modulation types and data protocols may be utilised, including, but not limited to Bluetooth, ZigBee, PowerG, Zwave, Wireless XI 0 and WirelessHART.

It should be appreciated that in embodiments in which it is not necessary for the control interface 102 to transmit information to the remote control device 106, the transmitter/encoder 120 may be omitted from the system of Figure 1 .

The control interface 102 further comprises one or more local sensors 122. In some embodiments, it may be necessary for the control interface 102 to monitor local sensors 122. These local sensors 122 may take the form of physical or environmental sensors and any type of suitable local sensor may be utilised. For example, the local sensors may be one or more, or any combination of switches, rotary controls (potentiometers, capacitors), temperature measurement transducers, light transducers, colour detectors, sub-Sonic transducers, audible sound transducers, ultra-Sonic transducers, infra-red detectors, passive infra-red detectors, ultra-violet detectors, radio frequency detectors, microwave frequency detectors, alpha particle detectors, beta particle detectors, gamma particle detectors, X-Ray detectors, vibration detectors, image recognition detectors, biometric sensors/detectors, strain gauge transducers, movement detectors, gas detectors, and/or aroma sensors.

Although Figure 1 shows the local sensors as part of the control interface 102, it should be appreciated that the local sensor may be provided as a separate discrete uni†(s) in the control system or may be provided integral to the controlled device 108. Further, although Figure 1 shows one or more local sensors 122, it should be appreciated that in embodiments in which local sensors are not required, the local sensors 102 may be omitted from the system of Figure 1 .

Although not shown in Figure 1 , one or more manually operated controls that may be used†o control the function of the controlled device(s), may also be provided. This one or more manually operated controls, may be provided as part of the control interface 102, may be integral to the controlled device (s) 108 or may be provided as a separate discrete unit in the system.

As described above, control interface 1 16 is operable to receive control signals from the control unit 1 10 and to control the controlled device(s) 108 based on the control signals. The control signals are generated by the control unit 1 10 based on at least the received GNSS signals and the received remote control signals. In embodiments in which local sensors 122 or manually operated controls are also implemented, the control signals are generated by the control unit 1 10 based on the received GNSS signals, the received remote control signals, the signals from the local sensors and/or the signals from the manually operated controls.

The controlled device (s) 108 may comprise a switch that can be opened or closed to supply power to the controlled device. The switch technology will depend on the power requirement of the controlled device 108. In other words, a low voltage dc system may simply use a semiconductor switch, while a high power requirement may use an appropriately rated relay. The control interface 1 16 is operable to open or close the switch in dependence on the control signal from the control unit 1 10.

The control interface 1 16 may provide a power delivery control to the controlled device 108 that delivers a particular magnitude of either voltage or current to the controlled device (s) 108. Power delivery control may for example take the form of voltage level control, current level control, a phase cut ac power delivery or a pulse width modulated (pwm) power delivery.

The control interface 1 16 may control the controlled device by providing a signalling/communications signal to the controlled device(s) indicating what function the controlled device(s) should adopt. The signalling/communication signal may be provided to the controlled device (s) using any appropriate hardwired protocol, such as but not limited to, RS232, RS432, USB, IE803.X, TCP/IP, DALI, DMX, KNX, Bacnet, or Lonworks. Alternatively, the signalling/communication signal may be provided to the controlled device (s) using any appropriate infra-red wireless protocol, such as but not limited to, RECS-80, RC-5, RC-6, CEA-931 -A, CEA-931 -B, SIRC, or any radio frequency wireless protocol, such as but not limited to Bluetooth, ZigBee, PowerG, Zwave, Wireless XI 0, WirelessHART. Figure 2 schematically shows the application logic of the control interface 102 of Figure 1 . As can be seen in Figure 2, the control interface comprises four input data streams. The first input data stream corresponds to the GNSS signal received from the GNSS 104. The second input data stream corresponds to the remote control signals received from the remote control device 106. The third input data stream corresponds to the local sensor signals received from the local sensors 122. The fourth input data stream corresponds to the feedback/monitor signals received from the controlled device(s) 108.

The input data streams are received by the control interface at the input layer through appropriate input data handlers. In other words, the GNSS data stream is received by a GNSS data handler 202, the remote control data stream is received by a remote control data handler 204, the local sensor data stream is received by a local sensor data handler 206 and the controlled device feedback/monitor data stream is received by a controlled device feedback/monitor data handler 208.

The control unit 1 10 of Figure 1 comprises an input data controller 210 in an input data control layer, an application unit 212 in an application layer and an output data controller 214 in an output data control layer. Each of the data handlers 202, 204, 206, 208 processes its respective input data stream to an appropriate format for the application unit 212 and provides the processed data to the input data controller 210, which in turn provides the processed data to the application unit 212. Based on the received data from the input data controller, the application unit 212 determines what change, if any should be made to the function/state of the controlled device(s) 108 and generates a control signal accordingly. The application unit 212 also determines if any feedback/monitor signals are required to be transmitted to the remote control device 106 or the local sensor(s) 122. If such feedback/monitor signals are required, these are also provided by the application unit 212 to the output data controller 214.

The control interface comprises three output data streams. The first output data stream corresponds to the control data stream to the controlled device 108. This data stream is provided from the output data controller 214 to a controlled device handler 216. The second output data stream corresponds to the feedback/monitor data stream for the local sensor(s) 122. This data stream is provided from the output data controller 214 to a local sensor data handler 216. The third data stream corresponds to the feedback/monitor data stream to the remote control unit 106. This data stream is provided from the output data controller 214 to a remote control data handler 220. The output data streams are provided from the output data handlers 216, 218, 220 to their respective destinations.

It should be appreciated that in an embodiment in which no feedback/monitor data streams is required for the local sensors and/or the remote control device, these data streams may be omitted. Likewise, if no local sensors or feedback/monitor signals are required, the second and third input data streams may be omitted .

It should be appreciated that in Figure 2, each module and each of the input and output data streams may be implemented in either hardware or software. Further, each of the input data handlers 202, 204, 206, 208 may raise an interrupt or respond to a polling request signal.

Figure 3a and Figure 3b show a flow chart of the operation of the system of Figure 1 . At step 302, the control unit 1 10 determines if GNSS data is available by polling the GNSS 104. If GNSS data is available, the control unit determines at step 304 if an input state change is necessary based on the GNSS data. If an input state change is necessary, the method progresses to step B, otherwise, at step 306, the control unit 1 10 determines if remote control data is available which may be performed by checking a register which will indicate if remote control data is available. If remote control data is available, the control unit determines at step 308 if an input state change is necessary based on the remote control data. If an input state change is necessary, the method progresses to step B, otherwise, at step 310, the control unit 1 10 determines if a local sensor has changed. This may be performed by comparing the current local sensor value with the previous local sensor value to determine whether a change has taken place. If there has been a change in the local sensor, the control unit determines at step 312 if an input state change is necessary based on the local sensor data. If an input state change is necessary, the method progresses to step B, otherwise, the method reverts back to step 302.

Steps 302 through 312 aim to determine if the input data to the control interface 102 has changed. If the input data has changed, determined by comparing the last known state against the current state, the method progresses to step 314, in which the control unit performs an input state change request at step 314 indicating that at least one of the GNSS data, remote control data or local sensor data has changed state. The control unit then checks to see if a state change of the controlled device (s) is required based on the changed input state. If not, the control unit then performs automated state change checks by polling the GNSS data, remote control data and local sensor data and checking again at step 320 if a state change of the controlled device(s) 108 is required. If a state change is determined to be required at either step 31 6 or 320, the control unit 1 10 sends a control signal to the controlled device interface 1 1 6 to change the state of the controlled device(s) 108.

Various implementations of the invention will now be described, by way of example only.

In a first example, the GNSS is the GPS, the remote control device is a Bluetooth enabled device, the local sensors are a PI R (Passive Infra-Red) detector and a LUX level detector, and the controlled device is a relay to be used to switch power (e.g. 230Vac) to a load device (e.g. a lamp) . Figure 4 schematically shows a control system 400 of the first example, comprising a control interface 402 comprising a control unit 410 in communication with the GPS 404 through a GPS module 412, a Bluetooth enabled remote control device 406 through a Bluetooth module 414, a PI R 430 and a LUX level detector 432. The control unit 410 is operable to control the function of a relay 408 based on signals received from the GPS 404, the remote control device 406, the PIR 430 and the LUX level detector 432.

In this example, it is required that the load should be switched on for a specific duration using the relay 408, when the PIR 430 detects movement, a required minimum LUX level is detected by the LUX level detector 432, and the current time is determined to be within a specified time range, for example from 2100 to 0600.

To achieve this, remote control data can be transmitted from the Bluetooth enabled remote control device 406 to the control interface 402 in order to set a device enabled start time, a device enabled end time, a LUX level threshold at which the control interface will switch on the load, and a time delay to hold the load switched on after both movement has been detected by the PIR and the required minimum LUX level has been reached, in the control interface 402. This is achieved by populating a look-up table 440 in the control unit 410 with data derived from the remote control signal. The Bluetooth enabled remote control device 406 will also be capable of reading the current configuration of the control interface 402 so that a user can find out what the current configuration of the control interface is.

Once these parameters have been established, the control unit 410 will enter an autonomous operation mode, in which it continuously, periodically or regularly checks local sensor data, GNSS data and remote control data from the PI R 430 and the LUX level detector 432 to determine if a change in state of the relay 408 is required by interrogating the look-up table 440. While in this autonomous mode the control unit 408 may be interrupted by the Bluetooth remote control device 406 at any time to allow parameter settings to be changed in the look-up table 440 in the control unit 410.

If both the LUX level condition is satisfied and movement has been detected by the PIR 430, the GPS stream 404 will be checked for time data. Provided the GPS time indicates that the unit is currently enabled then the load will be switched on switching on the relay 408. The GPS input stream will be regularly monitored until the delay time parameter has been satisfied at which point the relay 408 will be switched off until the next detection event.

Figure 5 shows a flow chart of the method of the above-described first example. At step 502, the PIR 430 is interrogated. If movement is detected at step 504, the LUX detector 432 is interrogated at step 506. If no movement is detected by the PIR 430, the PI R 430 is periodically or regularly interrogated again until movement is detected. Alternatively, the PI R 430 may only be interrogated after the PI R has sent a signal indicating that it has detected movement. At step 508, if the LUX level is below a threshold, the GPS stream is interrogated at step 510, otherwise, the process reverts back to step 502. At step 512, it is determined whether or not the current time is within the set range in which control is enabled from the GPS stream. If the current time is within this range, the load relay is switched on at step 514, otherwise the process reverts back to step 502. At step 514, the GPS stream is again interrogated and at step 518 it is determined if the set delay time has been reached, if it has, the load relay 408 is switched off at step 520, otherwise the GNSS is interrogated recursively at step 51 6 until the delay time has been reached and the relay is switched off.

According to this example, by being able to derive accurate time data from the GPS signal and by receiving appropriate remote control signals from the Bluetooth enabled remote control device 406, the control interface 402 can control the relay 408 based on precise timing and data information that is not reliant on individual internal clocks and will not drift over time and lose accuracy. Further, due to the GPS stream being updated with accurate time information, performance of the control interface will be maintained.

Figure 6 schematically shows a control system of a second example, comprising a control interface 602 comprising a control unit 610 in communication with a GNSS 604 through a GNSS module 612 and a remote control device 606 through a remote control module 614. The control unit 610 is operable to control the function of a controlled device 608 based on signals received from the GNSS 604 and the remote control device 606.

The control unit 610 comprises a scheduling table 640 having one or more entries that include date, time and control function data. The scheduling table 640 is used to store data relating to scheduled changes in the state/function of the controlled device(s) 608 at particular scheduled events.

The scheduling table 640 is set up and populated by deriving data from a received remote control signal from the remote control device 606. Once the scheduling table 640 has been set up and populated, the control interface 602 enters an autonomous mode until commanded to stop by the remote control device 606.

While in the autonomous mode the control unit 610 is operable to read date and time information from the input GNSS input stream. If the control unit 610 determines that the current date and time correspond to a date and time of an entry within the scheduling table 640, the control unit 640 is operable to provide a control signal to the controlled device interface 616 to change the function to the controlled device(s) 608 according to the control functions associated with that date and time entry in the scheduling table 640.

Figure 7 schematically shows a control system 700 of a third example, comprising a control interface 702 comprising a control unit 710 in communication with the GPS 704 through a GPS module 71 2, a plurality of Bluetooth enabled remote control devices 706 through a Bluetooth module 714, and a smoke detector 730. The control unit 710 is operable to control the function of an electronic door lock 708 based on signals received from the GPS 704, the remote control device 706 and the smoke detector 730.

In this third example, a plurality of users are each provided with a Bluetooth LE transponder 706 that is capable of communicating a user identification to the control interface of the invention. The plurality of users may be employees of a company and the user identification may be an employee number.

The control unit 710 comprises an access schedule table 740 comprising one or more entries each comprising employee number, date, time, control functions. An entry is provided in the access schedule table 740 and each entry defines a particular employees access rights to a controlled area, access to which is controlled by the electronic door lock. The control unit 710 further comprises an employee log table 742 that keeps a record of which employee numbers are granted access to the controlled area at any one time. In other words, when an employee enters the access control area they are added to the table. When they leave the area they are deleted from the table.

The access schedule table is initialised by using a Bluetooth device with a table set up capability, such as a PC, mobile telephone, tablet computer, or the like. Once the table has been set up the control unit 710 enters an autonomous mode of operation until it is commanded to stop by a Bluetooth device with that capability.

The control unit 710 also includes its own real time clock that is continuously updated by the latest available GPS date and time data. This is to allow for some latency in GPS acquisition latency.

When an employee wishes to access the controlled area, the employee number is transmitted from the Bluetooth transponder 706 and is provided to the control unit 710. The control unit 710 determines if the employee has the necessary access rights by interrogating the access schedule table 740. If the employee is allowed access to the controlled area at this current time then the electronic door lock 708 is unlocked by sending appropriate control to the door lock 708 through the controlled device interface 716. On granting access, the employee number is entered into the Employee Log Table 742.

As a safety feature, the control unit 710 may also monitor the smoke detector 730 using the local sensor input stream. If the smoke detector 730 indicates that there may be a fire in the controlled area, then the employee log table 742 is checked. If the employee log table 742 indicates that there are employees within the controlled area then the electronic lock 708 is released to allow for their escape. If the employee log table 742 is found to be empty then the electronic door lock is held locked to prevent access to a potentially hazardous area.

Figure 8 schematically shows a control system 800 of a fourth example, comprising a control interface 802 comprising a control unit 810 in communication with a GNSS 804 through a GNSS module 812 and a Bluetooth enabled remote control device 806 through a Bluetooth module 814. The control unit 810 is operable to control the function of a DALI communication interface 808 based on signals received from the GNSS 804 and the remote control device 806. In this example, the DALI communication interface 808 is operable to make scene changes in a DALI lighting system at accurate date and times according to scheduled events stored in schedule table 840 maintained within the control unit 810. The scheduled table 840 comprises one or more entries each corresponding to a different scheduled event and each comprising date, time and DALI function(s) data.

The schedule table 840 can be initialised and populated using the Bluetooth input from an application running on a Bluetooth capable mobile device 806 (e.g. PC, mobile telephone, tablet computer) , after which the control unit 810 enters an autonomous mode, until instructed to stop through a command from the Bluetooth interface.

While in autonomous mode the control unit 810 monitors the GNSS input stream for date and time information and interrogates the schedule table 840 in order to see if a scene change is scheduled. If an scene change schedule event is required to take place then the required DALI commands are sent to the controlled device interface 816 for controlling the DALI communications interface 808 accordingly.

Figure 9 schematically shows a control system 900 of a fifth example, comprising a control interface 902 comprising a control unit 910 in communication with the GPS 904 through a GPS module 912 and a Bluetooth enabled remote control device 906 through a Bluetooth module 914. The control unit 910 is operable to control the function of a PIR 408 by controlling a relay, based on signals received from the GPS 904 and the remote control device 906.

As can be seen in Figure 9, a control input 928 from the PI R 908 is provided to the control unit 910. This control input 928 acts as a feedback/monitor signal informing the control unit if the PIR is on or off. This control input 928 may be a 5V logic level. The control input 928 allows the PIR to indicate to the control unit 910 when it changes state so that this can be logged by the control unit 910 in a log table 942.

However, as with the second and fourth examples, the PI R switch is only switched on according to scheduled events stored in a schedule table 940. The schedule table 940 can be initialised and populated by data derived from the an input remote control signal from the Bluetooth enabled remote control device, Such as a PC, mobile telephone, or tablet computer. Once the scheduling table is set up is the control interface 902 enters an autonomous mode of operation, until interrupted by a command from the remote control device. In the autonomous mode, the control unit 910 monitors the GPS input data stream for date and time information. Each time GPS information is received, the scheduling table 940 is interrogated to determine whether an output state change of the PIR is required. If a state change is required then the state change control is sent to the PI R 908 through the controlled device interface 91 6.

The control unit 910 processing is capable of being interrupted if the state of the control input changes. When such an event takes place the date and time is determined from the GPS signal and is written into the log table 942.

The control unit processing may also be interrupted on receipt of a remote control Input command requesting the log table 942 be output to the Bluetooth device 906. The log table 942 is transmitted through the Bluetooth interface to the Bluetooth device 906 where the data is required.

In a sixth example, the invention can perform location based control. This example is shown in Figure 10. In Figure 10, the remote control device 1006 is a WiFi enabled IP interface for setting up and controlling the device with its own IP address. This interface is also used so that the control interface 1002 can communicate back to a host for logging purposes. The controlled device interface 101 6 is a separate WiFi enabled IP interface to allow the control interface 1002 to control or interrogate controlled device (s) 1008 over an alternate wireless network. The controlled device 1008 is a protocol for controlling drive and steering of a vehicle. In this example, a LUX level detector 1030 and an override switch 1032 are provided as local sensors.

In this example, the control interface 1002 is mounted on a vehicle that may move around within a predefined polygon bounded by latitude and longitude co-ordinates stored within an access limits polygon table 1040 in the control unit 1010.

The control interface 1002 needs to control various devices over the WiFi interface connected through the controlled device interface 101 6 during the vehicles journey in dependence on the vehicles position.

A position control events table 1042 in the control unit 1010, stores one or more entries, each entry corresponding to a particular control event for the control device 1008. Each entry comprises latitude, longitude, host IP and command sequence data.

Light levels within the access polygon may be variable, so the control interface may need †o request additional lighting levels at various points throughout its route, in dependence on the signal received from the LUX level detector 1030.

As the system 1000 works autonomously, a safety override switch 1032 is a provided as a local sensor.

The device is required to navigate to various co-ordinates according to a schedule stored in a journey schedule table 1044. The journey schedule table 1044 comprises entries comprising date, time, latitude and longitude data.

A LUX level table 1046 is also provided that includes latitude, longitude, minimum LUX level, host IP and command data.

The access limits polygon table 1040, position control events table 1042, journey schedule table 1044 and LUX level table 1046 can be initialised an populated over the WiFi enabled IP interface from a PC, mobile telephone or tablet computer for example. Once these tables have been established the control unit 1010 will enter an autonomous mode I which the control unit 1010 monitors the GNSS input stream for date, time and position data. The control unit 1010 checks date and time from the GNSS input stream against the journey schedule table 1044. If the schedule table 1044 indicates that the vehicle needs to move to a new station then that movement sequence begins.

The GNSS data is also compared against the position control events table 1042. If a position indicates that a control event is to take place then the host indicated in the table is connected to and the command sequence issued.

The GNSS data is further compared against the access limits polygon table 1040. If the control unit 1010 finds that it is outside the allowed polygon the controlled device interface 1016 controls the controlled device 1008, to cause the vehicle to stop. This condition is reported back to the controlling host via the remote control interface.

The GNSS data is compared against the LUX Level table 1046. If the Lux level is found to be below the minimum level for the location then an appropriate command is sent to the host indicated in the table to increase the light level.

The control unit may be interrupted by the safety override switch 1032. Further, control unit may be interrupted by a remote command received over the rerr control interface from the controlling host.

As will be appreciated, the above six examples may be modified in any suitable way according to the system and application requirements. For example, where the GNSS is described as GPS, any suitable navigation system may be utilised. Also, where the remote control device is described as a Bluetooth enabled device, any protocol may be used that would provide the desired functionality.

Although the above describes six specific examples of how the invention may be implemented, it should be appreciated that these six examples are not exhaustive. For example, the invention could be implemented indoors to control lighting scene setting, timeouts, colour control, personal settings. It may be implemented in hospitals and medical health care, where none contact control of devices is required. It may be implemented in prisons, safety access and tamper proof control of devices. It may be implemented in schools, or gyms with colour control and mood setting. It may be used in the home as alarm clock wake up. It may be used in Warehouses for the detection of moving vehicles, fork lifts, and high-bay switching, in horticultural, greenhouses, hostile environments, club membership access and in instrument control in which equipment will not switch on if the user does not have the correct access levels. The invention may be implemented outside to control street lighting, car park lighting, lighting in tunnels, sport grounds, and garden lighting. It may be used in agriculture to maintain the location of livestock, in vehicle control-borrowing cars or bikes, access control, door access, tags and zone control also feedback information on the location of people and time e.g. clocking in/out. It may be used in fire alarms, to provide feedback information on the location of people in the event of a fire, and can also be used to track fire fighters in the building and oxygen levels etc. It could be used in blind control to could control the bind in dependence on the location and time of sun rise and sun set. The invention can also be implemented in toys or other devices in that they may be configured to work in different functional modes depending on the date, time of day, and geographic location, for example, go to sleep, wake up, eat, call out, be quiet.

Claims

1 . A control apparatus comprising:

a controller;

a Global Navigation Satellite System module in communication with the controller and operable to receive a Global Navigation Satellite System signal;

a remote control module in communication with the controller and operable to receive a remote control signal from a remote control device;

a movement sensor operable to provide a movement sensor signal to the controller; and

a controlled device interface operable to communicate with a controlled device,

wherein the controller is operable to provide a control signal to the controlled device interface based on the Global Navigation Satellite System signal, the remote control signal and the movement sensor signal, and the controlled device interface is operable responsive to the control signal to control the controlled device.

2. A control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the movement sensor is a passive infra-red sensor.

3. A control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the Global Navigation Satellite System module comprises a receiver operable to receive Global Navigation Satellite System signal and a decoder operable to decode the Global Navigation Satellite System signal.

4. A control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the receiver and decoder are operable according to the National Marine Electronics Association protocol.

5. A control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the decoder is operable to decode the Global Navigation Satellite System signal to provide a serial data stream to the controller in ASCII format.

6. A control apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the remote control module comprises a remote control receiver operable to receive a remote control signal from the remote control device and a remote control decoder operable to decode the remote control signal for transmission to the controller.

7. A control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the remote control module comprises a remote control encoder operable to encode a signal from the controller and a remote control transmitter operable to transmit the encoded signal to the remote control device.

8. A control apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller comprises a scheduling table.

9. A control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the controller is operable to populate the scheduling table with data derived from the remote control signal.

10. A control apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the scheduling table comprises one or more entries, each entry including date, time and control function data, wherein the control function data relates to a required change in state of the controlled device.

1 1 . A control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the controller is operable to periodically poll the Global Navigation Satellite System, wherein if the time and date indicated in the Global Navigation Satellite System signal correspond to an entry in the scheduling table, the controller is operable to provide a control signal to the controlled device interface based on the control function data in the corresponding entry in the scheduling table and the controlled device interface is operable responsive to the control signal from the controller to control the controlled device to effect the required change of state of the controlled device.

12. A control apparatus according to claim 1 1 , the controller further comprising a log table, and the controller being operable to record the date and time of each change of state of the controlled device in the log table, the controller deriving the date and time data from the received GNSS signal.

13. A control apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the controller is operable to report data from the log table to a remote control device through the remote control module.

14. A control apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the controlled device interface is operable to communicate with a plurality of controlled devices.

15. A control apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the remote control module is operable to communicate with the remote control device by one of infra-red signalling, visible light signalling, ultra-red signalling or radio frequency signalling.

16. A control apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the remote control module is operable to communicate with the remote control device by Bluetooth.

17. A control apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the Global Navigation Satellite System is a Global Positioning System or Globalnaya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS).

18. A control system, comprising:

a control apparatus according to any preceding claim;

a remote control device in communication with the control apparatus; and a controlled device to be controlled by the control apparatus.

19. A control system according to claim 18, wherein the controlled device is a relay for switching a load.

20. A control system according to claim 19, wherein the control apparatus comprises a passive infra-red sensor and a LUX level detector.

21 . A control system according to claim 20, wherein the remote control device is operable to communicate with the control apparatus to set in the controller an enabled start time, an enabled end time, a LUX level below which the control apparatus can switch on the load, a time delay to hold the load switched on after both movement has been detected by the passive infra-red sensor and the LUX level has been reached.

22. A control system according to claim 21 , wherein if the controller receives a signal from the passive infra-red sensor that movement has been detected, a signal from the LUX sensor that the LUX level has been reached and if the current time and date derived from the GNSS signal is within the boundaries set by the remote control device, the controller is operable to provide a control signal to the controlled device interface, which is responsive to the control signal to control the relay to turn on the load.

23. A control system according to any of claims 19 to 22, wherein the load is a lamp.

24. A control system according to claim 18, wherein the controlled device is a Digital Addressable lighting Interface (DALI) communication interface and the controller further comprises a scheduling table comprising one or more entries, each entry including date, time and DALI function data, wherein the DALI function data relates to a required change in scene of the DALI communication interface.

25. A control apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the controller is operable to populate the scheduling table with data derived from the remote control signal from a remote control device.

26. A control apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the controller is operable to periodically poll the Global Navigation Satellite System signal, wherein if the time and date indicated in the Global Navigation Satellite System signal correspond to an entry in the scheduling table, the controller is operable to provide a control signal to the controlled device interface based on the DALI function data in the corresponding entry in the scheduling table and the controlled device interface is operable responsive to the control signal from the controller to control the DALI communication interface to effect the required change of state in the controlled device.

27. A control system, comprising:

a plurality of remote control devices, each remote control device in use being carried on the body of a user and being operable to communicate a user identification signal;

a controlled device; and

a control apparatus comprising:

a controller;

a remote control module in communication with the controller and operable to receive user identification signals from the plurality of remote control devices, and

a controlled device interface operable to communicate with the controlled device, wherein the controller is operable to provide a control signal to the controlled device interface based on the Global Navigation Satellite System signal and the received user identification signals, and the controlled device interface is operable responsive to the control signal to control the controlled device.

28. A control system according to claim 27, wherein the controller comprises an access schedule table comprising one or more entries, each entry including user identification, date, time and control function data, thereby defining a user's access rights to a controlled area.

29. A control system according to claim 28, wherein the controlled device is an electronic lock on a door to the controlled area.

30. A control system according to claim 28 or 29, wherein a first remote control device carried by a first user is operable to communicate the user identification associated with the first remote control device when the first user requires access to the controlled area, wherein upon receipt of the user identification, the controller of the control apparatus is operable to determine whether the first user is to be granted access to the controlled area based on the date, time and control function data associated with user identification stored in the access schedule table, and if the first user is to be granted access, providing a control signal to the controlled device interface to control the door to unlock.

31 . A control system according to any of claims 28 to 30, wherein the controller comprises a user log table operable to log the date and time a user enters and exits the controlled area, the controller deriving the date and time data from the received GNSS signal.

32. A control system according to claim 31 , wherein the control apparatus further comprises a smoke alarm, wherein if the smoke alarm indicates that there is a fire in the controlled area, the controller is operable to check the user log to determine if a user is recorded as present in the controlled area, in which case, the controller is operable to provide a control signal to the controlled device interface to control the door to unlock.

33. A control apparatus and control system substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.