• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    Z-WAVE GATEWAY. A Z-Wave gateway includes a Z-Wave wireless communication module, a memory device, an arbitration circuit module and a central processing unit. The Z-Wave wireless communication module is in wireless communication with the plural sensors to receive information from the plural sensors and generate plural status and configuration data corresponding to the plural sensors. The plural status and configuration data are stored in the memory device. The arbitration circuit module is electrically connected with the Z-Wave wireless communication module and the memory device. When the central processing unit controls the arbitration circuit module to suspend a circuit between the Z-Wave wireless communication module and the memory device, the central processing unit controls the arbitration circuit module to capture the plural status and configuration data from the memory device and transmit the plural status and configuration data to a storage medium, so that the plural status and configuration data are stored as a backup in the storage medium.
    公开号:SE1650562A1
    申请号:SE1650562
    申请日:2016-04-27
    公开日:2017-06-30
    发明作者:Chen Yu-Hsin；Chang Tzu-Chiang
    申请人:Connection Tech Systems Inc；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [1] [0001] The present invention relates to a communication technology,and more particularly to a Z-wave gateway.
    [2] [0002] As the applications of the internet are expanded, the conceptsof Intemet of Things (IoT) technology are progressively developed. TheIoT is the network of physical objects and becomes the important route ofindustrial development. Nowadays, gateways are used for establishingcommunication channels between different household appliances.
    [3] [0003] For example, the wireless communication technology ofZ-Wave has been matured. Nowadays, several thousands of Z-Waveproducts are introduced into the market. The Z-Wave wirelesscommunication technology has many benefits such as low powerconsumption, high transmission reliability and low radiation.Consequently, the Z-Wave wireless products become more popular. Forallowing plural Z-Wave wireless products to communicate with each other,a gateway is required to establish the communication channels betweendifferent Z-Wave wireless products and to connect with the Intemet.
    [4] [0004] However, for controlling different Z-Wave wireless products(e.g., monitors, lamps, air conditioners or door lock switches), theseZ-Wave wireless products have to be individually included in the Z-Wavenetwork in advance before these Z-Wave wireless products are used.Consequently, the basic safety requirements can be achieved. Aconventional method of including a Z-Wave wireless product into theZ-Wave network is that, at each inclusion procedure, a user sends a command to the gateway, to make the gateway be in an inclusion standby1 mode. Then, the Z-Wave Wireless product issues an inclusion request.After the gateway receives the inclusion request, the Z-Wave wirelessproduct is included in the Z-Wave network. However, the conventionalmethod of including the Z-Wave wireless product in the Z-Wave networkhas some drawbacks. For example, one gateway is able to communicatewith 232 Z-Wave wireless products. If the original gateway is breakdownand the original gateway should be replaced with a new one, all of theZ-Wave wireless products have to be restored to the factory default valuesand these Z-Wave wireless products need to be individually included in thisnew gateway once again. The above operating process is troublesome andtime-consuming.
    [5] [0005] Therefore, there is a need of providing an improved backuptechnology of a Z-wave gateway in order to overcome the above drawbacks.
    [6] [0006] For overcoming the drawbacks of the conventional technology,the present invention provides a Z-wave gateway. After the Z-wavegateway is replaced with a new one, it is not necessary to individuallyinclude all nearby sensors in the new Z-Wave gateway. Consequently, theZ-wave gateway is user-friendly, and the operating time is largely reduced.[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a Z-Wave gateway. The Z-Wave gateway is in communicationwith plural extemal sensors. The Z-Wave gateway includes Z-Wavewireless communication module, a memory device, an arbitration circuitmodule and a central processing unit. The Z-Wave wirelesscommunication module is in wireless communication with the plural sensors to receive information from the plural sensors and generate plural2 status and configuration data corresponding to the plural Sensors. Thememory device is electrically connected With the Z-Wave Wirelesscommunication module. After the plural status and configuration datafrom the Z-Wave Wireless communication module are received by thememory device, the plural status and configuration data are stored in thememory device. The arbitration circuit module is electrically connectedWith the Z-Wave Wireless communication module and the memory device.The central processing unit is electrically connected With the arbitrationcircuit module. When the central processing unit controls the arbitrationcircuit module to suspend a circuit between the Z-Wave Wirelesscommunication module and the memory device, the central processing unitcontrols the arbitration circuit module to capture the plural status andconfiguration data from the memory device and transmit the plural statusand configuration data to a storage medium, so that the plural status andconfiguration data are also stored as a backup in the storage medium.
    [8] [0008] In an embodiment, the Z-Wave Wireless communicationmodule and the memory device are electrically connected With each other.[0009] In an embodiment, the arbitration circuit module comprises acontrol circuit and a capture Wire. The control circuit is electricallyconnected With the Z-Wave Wireless communication module, and the capture Wire is electrically connected to the memory device.
    [10] [0010] In an embodiment, the memory device is a non-volatilememory.[0011] In an embodiment, the plural status and configuration data are outputted from the central processing unit to the storage medium as thebackup through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, and/or the backup of the plural status and configuration data in the storage medium is restored to the memory device of the Z-Wave gateway or a memory device of anadditional Z-Wave gateway through the Universal Serial Bus interface.[0012] In an embodiment, the plural status and configuration data areoutputted from the central processing unit to the storage medium as thebackup in response to a command, and/or the backup of the plural status inthe storage medium is restored to the memory device of the Z-Wavegateway or a memory device of an additional Z-Wave gateway.
    [13] [0013] In an embodiment, the plural status and configuration datainclude a data of the Z-Wave wireless communication module, a sensorstatus data and/or a sensor configuration data.
    [14] [0014] In an embodiment, the Z-Wave gateway further includes anetwork communication module. The Z-Wave gateway is connected witha cloud platfonn via the network communication module.
    [15] [0015] From the above descriptions, the Z-Wave gateway of thepresent invention is equipped with the arbitration circuit module foroutputting the status and configuration data of the memory device to astorage medium and storing the status and configuration data as a backup inthe storage medium. Once the Z-Wave gateway has a breakdown, the usermay transmit the status and configuration data of the storage medium to anew Z-Wave gateway (or the repaired Z-Wave gateway). Consequently,the new Z-Wave gateway has the status of the original Z-Wave gatewaywithout the need of individually including all nearby sensors in the newZ-Wave gateway. That is, the new Z-Wave gateway can communicatewith all of the nearby sensors at a fast speed. In other words, the sensorscan be in communication with the new Z-Wave gateway without the needsof being restored to the factory default values. Moreover, it is not necessary to individually include all nearby sensors in the new Z-Wave gateway. Consequently, the operating time of re-including the sensorswill be largely reduced.
    [16] [0016] The above objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
    [17] [0017] FIG. l schematically illustrates the wireless communicationbetween a Z-Wave gateway and plural nearby sensors according to anembodiment of the present invention; and
    [18] [0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram illustrating theinner components of the Z-Wave gateway according to the embodiment ofthe present invention.
    [20] [0020] FIG. l schematically illustrates the wireless communicationbetween a Z-Wave gateway and plural nearby sensors according to anembodiment of the present invention. In this context, the sensor 2 usedherein indicates a circuit that is able to communicate with the Z-Wavegateway l according to a Z-wave communication protocol. In otherwords, the sensor 2 comprises a Z-Wave wireless product (e. g., a monitor, a lamp, an air conditioner, a window curtain, a door lock or a surveillance5 device) or a transmitter/receiver circuit that supports a Z-wave Wirelessbidirectional communication protocol.
    [21] [0021] The Z-Wave gateway 1 comprises a network communicationmodule 16 (see FIG. 2). The network communication module 16 has anetworking function. In case that the network communication module 16is directly connected with a home network, the user can realize the currentstatuses of the electrical appliances in the home everywhere and anytime.Moreover, the Z-Wave gateway 1 can be connected with a host of anetwork service provider via the network communication module 16, andconnected with a cloud platform 4 via the network communication module16 through network connection. In case that a cloud service is integratedinto the Z-Wave gateway 1, the user in an extemal environment can link tothe Z-Wave gateway 1 to control the household appliances, realize thestatuses of the electronic appliances and receive notif1cation messages.[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram illustrating theinner components of the Z-Wave gateway according to the embodiment ofthe present invention. Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2. The Z-Wavegateway 1 comprises a Z-Wave wireless communication module 11, amemory device 12, an arbitration circuit module 13 and a centralprocessing unit 14. The Z-Wave wireless communication module 11 is incommunication with plural extemal sensors 2 according to the Z-wavecommunication protocol. Similarly, each sensor 2 has to be individuallyincluded in the network of the Z-Wave gateway 1 before use. After aspecified sensor 2 is included in the network of the Z-Wave gateway 1, theZ-Wave wireless communication module 11 generates a correspondingstatus and configuration data, and the status and configuration datasimultaneously transmitted to the memory device 12 for storage. The status and configuration data at least contains a record about the inclusion6 of the specified sensor 2. In addition, the status and configuration data iskept up-to-date.
    [23] [0023] In an embodiment, the status and configuration data comprisesthe data of the Z-Wave Wireless communication module 11, a sensor statusdata and/or a sensor configuration data. For example, the data of theZ-Wave Wireless communication module 11 indicates the inclusion dataabout a specified lamp; the sensor status and configuration data indicatesthe on/off status of the specified lamp at this moment; and the sensorconfiguration data indicates the configuration data about the predeterminedtime sequence of tuming on/off the specified lamp. The examples of thestatus and configuration data are presented herein for purpose of illustrationand description only.
    [24] [0024] Preferably, the memory device 12 is a non-volatile memory.The non-volatile memory is advantageous because the stored status andconfiguration data in the non-volatile memory are retained even if noelectricity is continuously supplied to the non-volatile memory.
    [25] [0025] Hereinafter, the operations of the arbitration circuit module 13Will be described as follows. The arbitration circuit module 13 is used forproviding a special circuit loop to acquire the status and configuration datafrom the memory device 12. In an embodiment, the Z-Wave Wirelesscommunication module 11 and the memory device 12 are electricallyconnected With each other to let the memory device 12 be accessible to theZ-Wave Wireless communication module 11 In this embodiment, thearbitration circuit module 13 comprises a control circuit (not shown) and acapture Wire. The control circuit is electrically connected With theZ-Wave Wireless communication module 11, and the capture Wire iselectrically connected to the memory device. According to this circuitry configuration, the present invention has the following features. For7 example, when the central processing unit 14 controls the arbitration circuitmodule 13 to capture the status and configuration data from the memorydevice 12, a circuit between the Z-Wave wireless communication module11 and the memory device 12 is suspended. Consequently, after thearbitration circuit module 13 captures the status and configuration datafrom the memory device 12, the status and configuration data is transmittedto a storage medium 3 and stored as a backup.
    [26] [0026] The present invention provides two approaches of storing thestatus and configuration data as the backup. In accordance with a firstapproach, the Z-Wave gateway 1 comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB)interface 15. The status and configuration data are outputted from thecentral processing unit 14 to the storage medium 3 through the USBinterface 15. For example, the storage medium 3 is a USB flash drive.That is, the status and configuration data are backed up to the USB flashdrive. Once the Z-Wave gateway 1 has a breakdown, the user may take anew Z-Wave gateway (or the repaired Z-Wave gateway 1) and restore thestatus and configuration data of the USB flash drive to a memory device ofthe new Z-Wave gateway. Consequently, the new Z-Wave gateway can bein communication with the sensors 2 that have been included in the originalZ-Wave gateway. In other words, the sensors 2 can be in communicationwith the new Z-Wave gateway without the step of being recovered to thefactory default values. Moreover, it is not necessary to individuallyinclude all nearby sensors 2 in the new Z-Wave gateway. Consequently,the operating time of re-including the sensors 2 will be largely reduced.[0027] In accordance with a second approach, the Z-Wave gateway 1is connected with a computer 8. Moreover, the Z-Wave gateway 1comprises a corresponding signal line interface 15” for transmitting data to the computer 8 and displaying data on the computer 8. Consequently, thes status and configuration data can be outputted to the computer 8 as abackup in response to a command inputted by the user. By operating auser interface (UI) 80 of the computer 8, the user may allow the centralprocessing unit 14 to control the arbitration circuit module 13 to output thestatus and configuration data to a storage medium 3”. For example, thestorage medium 3” is a hard disk of the computer 8. Consequently, thebackup of the status and configuration data is stored in the hard disk.Once the Z-Wave gateway l has a breakdown, the user may take a newZ-Wave gateway (or the repaired Z-Wave gateway l) and restore the statusand configuration data of the storage medium 3” to a memory device of thenew Z-Wave gateway. Consequently, the new Z-Wave gateway can be incommunication with the sensors 2 that have been included in the originalZ-Wave gateway. Under this circumstance, the operating time ofre-including the sensors 2 will be largely reduced.
    [28] [0028] From the above descriptions, the Z-Wave gateway of thepresent invention is equipped with the arbitration circuit module foroutputting the status and configuration data of the memory device to astorage medium and storing the status and configuration data as a backup inthe storage medium. Once the Z-Wave gateway has a breakdown, the usermay transmit the status and configuration data of the storage medium to anew Z-Wave gateway. Consequently, the new Z-Wave gateway has thestatus of the original Z-Wave gateway without the need of individuallyincluding all nearby sensors in the new Z-Wave gateway. That is, the newZ-Wave gateway can communicate with all of the nearby sensors at a fastspeed.
    [29] [0029] While the invention has been described in terms of what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed9 embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover variousmodifications and similar arrangements included Within the spirit and scopeof the appended claims Which are to be accorded With the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar SÉIUCÉUTC S .
    权利要求:
    Claims (8)
    [1] 1. WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:1. A Z-Wave gateway (1) in communication with plural external sensors,characterized in that the Z-Wave gateway comprising: a Z-Wave wireless communication module (11) in wirelesscommunication with the plural sensors (2) to receive information from theplural sensors (2) and generate plural status and configuration datacorresponding to the plural sensors (2); a memory device (12) electrically connected with the Z-Wave wirelesscommunication module (11), wherein after the plural status andconfiguration data from the Z-Wave wireless communication module (11)are received by the memory device (12), the plural status and configurationdata are stored in the memory device (12); an arbitration circuit module (13) electrically connected with theZ-Wave wireless communication module (11) and the memory device (12);and a central processing unit (14) electrically connected with the arbitrationcircuit module, wherein when the central processing unit (14) controls thearbitration circuit module (13) to suspend a circuit between the Z-Wavewireless communication module (11) and the memory device (12), thecentral processing unit (14) controls the arbitration circuit module (13) tocapture the plural status and configuration data from the memory device(12) and transmit the plural status and configuration data to a storagemedium (3), so that the plural status and configuration data are stored as abackup in the storage medium (3).
    [2] 2. The Z-Wave gateway (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that theZ-Wave wireless communication module (11) and the memory device (12)are electrically connected with each other.
    [3] 3. The Z-Wave gateway (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that theii arbitration circuit module (l3) comprises a control circuit and a capturewire, wherein the control circuit is electrically connected with the Z-Wavewireless communication module (ll), and the capture wire is electricallyconnected to the memory device.
    [4] 4. The Z-Wave gateway (l) according to claim 3, characterized in that thememory device (12) is a non-volatile memory.
    [5] 5. The Z-Wave gateway (l) according to claim l, characterized in that theplural status and configuration data are outputted from the centralprocessing unit (l4) to the storage medium (3) as the backup through aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) interface (l5), and/or the backup of the pluralstatus and configuration data in the storage medium (3) is restored to thememory device (12) of the Z-Wave gateway (l) or a memory device of anadditional Z-Wave gateway through the Universal Serial Bus interface (l5).
    [6] 6. The Z-Wave gateway (l) according to claim l, characterized in that theplural status and configuration data are outputted from the centralprocessing unit (l4) to the storage medium (3) as the backup in response toa command, and/or the backup of the plural status in the storage medium (3)is restored to the memory device (12) of the Z-Wave gateway or a memorydevice of an additional Z-Wave gateway.
    [7] 7. The Z-Wave gateway (l) according to claim l, characterized in that theplural status and configuration data comprise a data of the Z-Wave wirelesscommunication module (ll), a sensor status data and/or a sensorconfiguration data.
    [8] 8. The Z-Wave gateway (l) according to claim l, characterized in that theZ-Wave gateway further comprises a network communication module (l6),wherein the Z-Wave gateway (l) is connected with a cloud platform (4) via the network communication module (l6).
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