BUILDING ENVIRONMENT

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and

apparatus for facilitating control of a building

environment, and, particularly, but not exclusively, to a method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling one or more of heating, ventilation and air conditioning in a building .

Background of the Invention Heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are known. These systems are usually controlled by user control panels "hard wired" into the system, or by remote controls. Control panels are mounted in convenient positions for user control. In a domestic dwelling, for example, a control unit will usually be mounted on the wall in a hallway, kitchen or other room.

Current control panels are fairly limited in the information that is provided. Often they will be little more than a thermostat showing a desired temperature which can be set by a user. The system then does its best to maintain the environment within the building at the desired temperature. Control may also be provided for reverse cycle heating/air conditioning, so the mode can be selected by the user.

Current control panels have displays which provide limited information on parameters (such as temperature) being controlled. Current displays may be quite

diagrammatic, and they can be quite difficult to

understand without instruction. As homes are becoming more sophisticated, there is a requirement for more environmentally friendly energy usage. For example, sophisticated ventilation systems are being developed which can maintain the temperature in a building, but without requiring high energy heat exchange systems such as traditional air conditioning systems. For example, some ventilation systems use fans only to

maintain temperature in an environment. The control of such systems to optimize energy usage is important.

Summary of Invention

In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention provides a control apparatus for facilitating control of a building environment, comprising a processor, a memory, a user interface including a display, a display process arranged to generate on the display a

representation of a building, the representation

comprising a plurality of zones representing a plurality of respective areas of the building, and an interface process responsive to selection of one or more of the zones to enable operation of the user interface to

generate control signals for controlling operation of devices to affect environmental conditions within the one or more areas represented by the one or more zones.

In an embodiment, a user can determine the respective areas of the building which are represented by the zones and controllable via the control apparatus. They are able to select the zones to enable optimum control of

environmental conditions.

In an embodiment, selection of one or more zones can be provided by actuating the user interface. In an embodiment, the user interface is a graphical user

interface (GUI ) . In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a data process arranged to receive environmental data on environmental conditions within the areas represented by the zones, and the display process is arranged to cause the display to display the environmental data. In an embodiment, temperature and humidity and other data may be displayed by the display within the represented zones.

In an embodiment, the environmental data may also provide information on environmental conditions outside the building. In an embodiment, the display process is arranged to generate on the display an Outside Zone representing an area outside the building and to display the outside environmental data in the outside zone.

In an embodiment, the environmental data may comprise one or more of temperature, humidity, electricity

generated by an electricity generating device associated with the building, and electricity consumed from an external electricity provider. The electricity generated by an electricity generating device may be generated by a solar panel (s) associated with the building, or other ancillary electricity generating equipment. In an embodiment, the interface process is arranged to enable operation of the user interface to request a display of historical environmental data. The display process is arranged, in response to the request, to provide a display of historical environmental data. The request may be generated by actuation of a zone of the display. The historical data for the actuated zone may be displayed.

The historical data may include data logged over time, showing parameter variations over time e.g.

temperature, humidity, etc. The ability to display historical data may facilitate optimization of operation of devices. For example, energy usage may be optimized when the user has knowledge of historical variations and can apply control accordingly.

Advantageously, providing electricity consumption information and electricity generation information (e.g. regarding the amount of electricity generated) to a user, can enable the user to optimize electricity consumption by selective control of the devices via the control

apparatus .

In an embodiment, the displayed zones comprise a Living Zone, representing a living area of the building, and an Underfloor Zone, representing an Underfloor space of the building. The representation of the building may be a graphical representation of a domestic dwelling, comprising a pentagonal shaped envelope about the zones. In an embodiment, the zones further comprise a Roof

Zone, representing a roof space of the building.

In an embodiment, the display process is arranged to generate a tangible representation of the building, which is more than diagrammatic. In an embodiment, the display process is arranged to generate displays of recognizable artifacts associated with the building. For example, representations of solar panels, beds, grass, trees, other vegetation, power poles, chairs, tables, external building decoration and other artifacts normally associated with a building .

In an embodiment, the generation of a recognizable display, with recognizable artifacts, provides a user with a more emotional connection with the display. The display becomes intuitive for the user. The user has a better experience . In an embodiment, the display process is arranged to generate recognizable symbols representing environmental properties. For example, the symbols may comprise a recognizable representation of a symbol of the sun, to represent solar power available. Water droplets may be provided to represent humidity. Advantageously, a user can recognize the meaning of these symbols without

requiring instruction.

Advantageously, generation of recognizable artifacts and recognizable environmental parameter symbols provides a sophisticated graphic which a user can clearly

understand .

In accordance with a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of facilitating control of a building environment, comprising the steps of:

generating a display of a representation of a building, the representation comprising a plurality of zones representing a plurality of respective areas of the building, selecting one or more of the zones, and

generating control signals for controlling operation of devices to affect the environmental conditions within the one or more areas represented by the one or more selected zones .

In accordance with a third aspect, the present invention provides a computer program, comprising

instructions for controlling a computer to implement a control apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

In accordance with a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a computer readable medium, providing a computer program in accordance with the third aspect of the invention. In accordance with a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a data signal, comprising a computer program in accordance with the third aspect of the

invention.

In accordance with a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a control apparatus for facilitating control of a building environment, comprising a processor, a memory, a user interface including a display, a display process arranged to generate on the display a

representation of a building, the representation

comprising a plurality of zones representing a plurality of respective areas of the building, one of the zones comprising a representation of a building underfloor space, representing the underfloor space area of the building .

In accordance with a seventh aspect, the present invention provides a method of facilitating control of a building environment, comprising the steps of: generating a display of a representation of a building, the

representation comprising a plurality of zones

representing a plurality of respective areas of the building, one of the zones comprising a building

underfloor space, representing the underfloor space area of the building

In accordance with an eighth aspect, the present invention provides a computer program, comprising

instructions for controlling a computer to implement a control apparatus in accordance with the sixth aspect of the invention. In accordance with a ninth aspect, the present invention provides a computer readable medium, providing a computer program in accordance with an eighth aspect of the invention.

In accordance with a tenth aspect, the present invention provides a data signal, comprising a computer program in accordance with the eighth aspect of the invention .

In accordance with an eleventh aspect, the present invention provides a control apparatus for facilitating control of a building environment, comprising a processor, a memory, a user interface including a display, and a display process arranged to generate on the display a representation of a building, the display process being arranged to generate on the display recognizable artifacts associated with the building.

In an embodiment, the recognizable artifacts may include any artifact, such as vegetation, furniture, including beds, chairs, tables and other furniture, energy generating devices such as solar panels, infrastructure devices such as power poles, and other artifacts.

In an embodiment, the display process is arranged to generate the building representation in a more realistic and less diagrammatic form. Building artifacts may be represented, such as doorways, windows, brickwork and other building artifacts. In an embodiment, the display process is arranged to generate recognizable symbols representing environmental parameters. For example, the symbols may comprise a recognizable representation of the sun to represent solar energy being applied to a solar panel (the solar panel may be represented as an artifact on the display) . Water droplet symbols may be provided to represent a humidity property. Other symbols may be provided for other

properties .

In accordance with a twelfth aspect, the present invention provides a method of facilitating control of a building environment, comprising the steps of: generating a display of a representation of a building, and

generating a display of recognizable artifacts associated with the building.

In accordance with a thirteenth aspect, the present invention provides a computer program, comprising

instructions for controlling a computer to implement a control apparatus in accordance with the eleventh aspect of the invention.

In accordance with a fourteenth aspect, the present invention provides a computer readable medium, providing a computer program in accordance with the thirteenth aspect of the invention.

In accordance with a fifteenth aspect, the present invention provides a data signal, comprising a computer program in accordance with the thirteenth aspect of the invention.

Brief description of the Figures

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of

embodiments thereof, by way of example only, with

reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e show various displays which may be generated by the control apparatus of Figure l;

Figures 3a and 3b show further displays which may be generated by the control apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figures 4a to 4m show further displays which may be generated by the control apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a sectional block diagram of a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a sectional block diagram from the side of a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a further display which may be generated by the control apparatus of Figure 1. Detailed description of embodiments

Referring to Figure 1, a schematic block diagram of components of a control apparatus, (generally designated by reference numeral 1), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown.

In this example, the control apparatus comprises a processor 2 and memory 3. The processor 2 is arranged to process programme instructions and data in a known manner. Memory 3 is arranged to store program instructions also in a known manner. Processor 2 may comprise one or more processing means, such as integrated circuit processors. Memory 3 may comprise any known memory architecture, but in this example comprises IC memory in the form of ROM and RAM. The memory 3 may be integrated with the processor 2, in alternative architectures.

The processor 2 and memory 3 incorporate software and hardware which provide and support various computer processes. In this example, the computer processes include a display process, which is arranged to generate on the display 4 a representation of a building. Figure 2a shows a display of representation 10 of a building. In this example, the representation 10 is in the form of a graphic which shows a cross section through a domestic dwelling.

The representation 10 comprises a plurality of zones. In this embodiment the zones comprise a Living Zone 11, a Roof Zone 12 and an Underfloor Zone 13. These zones represent a plurality of respective areas of the building for which the control apparatus is arranged to control the environment. The areas represented are, respectively, a living space (Living Zone 11), which may incorporate one or more rooms in the actual building; an underfloor space (Underfloor Zone 13) of the building; a roof space (Roof Zone 12) of the building.

The control apparatus also comprises a user

interface, comprising a display 4 (which in this

embodiment is a touch screen display) , display driver/user input module 6, and also an interface process supported by the processor 2 and memory 3. The interface process is responsive to selection of one or more of the zones via the user interface 2, 3, 4, 6, to enable operation of the user interface to generate control signals for controlling operation of devices to affect environmental conditions within the one or more areas represented by the one or more zones.

In this example embodiment, a buffer 5 is arranged to buffer signals from the processor for control of

environmental control devices throughout the building.

In this embodiment, the control apparatus is

connected to conductors which are connected to controllers for environmental control devices. In an alternative embodiment, the control apparatus may incorporate wireless circuitry or other communications circuitry to generate and transmit wireless signals to wireless receivers for the controllers for the environmental control devices. The environmental control device may comprise

ventilators, air conditioning, heaters, HVAC devices, or other environmental control devices.

In an embodiment, the control apparatus may be arranged to communicate with other, similar control apparatus placed throughout the building for control of devices through the building. The networked control device may comprise a device which is designated a Master Unit, the others operating as Slave Units. One main controller may therefore be the Master to control the other control apparatus throughout the building and their respective associated devices.

The processor of the control apparatus 1 may also, in response to operation of the user interface, generate control signals for electricity supply control. Where the dwelling has a ancillary electricity supply arrangement, such as a solar panel, for example, signals may be

generated to control the ancillary electricity supply. For example, at times of peak demand on a grid

infrastructure electricity supply, electricity to the building may be sourced from the solar panel, any excess required coming from the grid. At times of low demand, electricity generated by the solar panel may be fed into the grid. This can be controlled via the interface, in an embodiment, or, alternatively, the operation may be automated via the processor and the memory.

In this embodiment, the display 4 comprises a touch screen which comprises part of the user interface. A display driver/ input module 6 drives the display and also receives signals from the user input, for control of the control apparatus.

The control apparatus 1 also comprises a data

process. The data process is arranged to receive

environmental data on environmental conditions within the areas represented by the zones and the display process is arranged to cause the display to display the environmental data. Referring to Figure 2a, environmental data is displayed in each of the zones 11, 12 and 13, in this embodiment being in the form of temperature and humidity in each of the zones.

Information on the environmental data is obtained from remote sensors connected to the control apparatus 1. The environmental data is received by the processor 2 via the buffer 7.

In this embodiment, the display process is also arranged to generate on the display 4 an Outside Zone 14 (Figure 2a) . The Outside Zone 14 displays outside

environmental data (sensed by sensors connected to the control apparatus), reference numeral 15.

This embodiment also has sensors for sensing the amount of electricity being generated by a solar panel, and amount of electricity being consumed from the grid, reference 16. The "tower" icon is next to the value of electricity being provided by the grid and the "sun" icon is next to the value of the electricity being generated by the solar panel.

A user can therefore determine the amount of

electricity which is available from solar. They can then determine whether to switch on other devices in their house to take advantage of the available solar power.

That is, during peak grid electricity value times, they could turn on more devices if sufficient solar power is available .

In this embodiment display 17 of the solar panel is represented on the "roof" of the displayed building.

Other environmental information may be sensed, including humidity, wind speed, barometric pressure, solar radiation, pollen count, CO ₂ levels and other environmental information .

The data process is arranged to store the received environmental data in memory 3. The interface process is arranged to detect a user touching the area of the screen where environmental data is displayed. In response, the display process is arranged to provide a screen of "Logged Data", which presents a display of historical

environmental data relating to the zone containing the environmental data displayed and touched by the user. Figure 2b shows a display of historical data for the

Living Zone. The display is generated by a user touching the area of the Living Zone 11 where the temperature is displayed. A similar historical display of humidity data for the Living Zone 11 is generated in response to a user touching the area of the Living Zone 11 on screen 2a where the humidity data is displayed.

In this embodiment, the Logged Data is displayed for the past 24 hours.

The display process is arranged to provide a

historical data display menu 20 at the foot of the display 4. This includes various virtual buttons to enable scrolling through the stored logged data (Previous Day button 21 and Next Day button 22) . A Back button 23 is also provided to enable the display to switch to the previous screen. A Home button 24 is also provided, in response to which the interface process and display process generate the Home Screen, Figure 2a.

Similar historical environmental data screens may be generated by the display process for each of the zones 11, 12, 13, 14. Screens 2d and 2e show examples of Logged Data displays for temperature for the Outside Zone 14 and the Roof Zone 12, respectively. Figure 2c shows Logged Data for the electrical power used 26 over time and the solar power provided 27 over time by the solar panel 17. This enables a user to make a comparison of how much electricity they are taking in from the grid compared with how much is being generated by their own ancillary

electricity generating apparatus.

The user is thus able to obtain and track

environmental data, such as temperature, humidity,

electricity generation over a period of time. This can assist them in monitoring and moderating energy usage of their house, for example. The user can optimise control of the devices in their house, based on historical data.

The interface process, display process and data process facilitate the generation of a number of "screens" on the display 4 to provide environmental information to a user and to facilitate control of environmental control devices and electricity generation in the building.

The environmental control devices may comprise ventilators, such as disclosed in International patent application No. PCT/AU2013/001021 (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference) . They may comprise HVAC devices, air conditioning, heaters, humidifiers or any other devices.

The Home screen, Figure 2a, includes a menu of four virtual buttons at the foot of the display 4. They comprise an On button 30, which changes the active mode of the screen between "on" and "standby". A Boost button 31 which causes the control apparatus to produce a signal to manually alter or change environmental device (e.g. HVAC, ventilator) output for a predetermined period of time. A Settings button 32 switches the display to a Settings screen, Figure 4i. The Set Point button 33 enables setting of temperatures in selected Zones. Actuation of the Set Point button 33 causes the display process to generate the Living Space Set Point screen of Figure 3b. With this screen displayed, the user is able to set the required temperature for the Living Zone 11. Temperature Set buttons 41 and 42 generated by the display process at the foot of the screen 4 enable the user to set the temperature. A Home button 24 allows a return to the Home Screen. A Set button 43 enables a user to toggle to the screen of Figure 3a, being the Roof Space Set Point. In this screen, the user can set the desired temperature of the Roof Space. Actuating the button 43 again toggles back to the screen of Figure 3b. Pressing on the image of the house will also cause toggling between the two zones. In another embodiment, where there are two or more zones, the user pressing the appropriate zone may activate that particular zone for adjusting conditions.

The Set buttons 41 and 42 provide signals to the system for temperature control of the building areas represented by the selected Zones. In this embodiment, the underfloor space does not have any environmental control device and the environmental data is sensed and displayed but cannot be controlled. In other embodiments, environmental control devices (e.g. HVAC or a ventilator) may also be provided for this Zone and a further screen for control of environmental control devices in this Zone may be provided.

Facilitating control of environmental devices in various different parts of a domestic dwelling, for example, such as Roof Space and Underfloor Zone and Living Zone, can facilitate efficient use of energy, and comfort in the home .

Information on the conditions of an underfloor zone, for example, can facilitate sub-floor moisture control. It can be determined whether the underfloor is damp or not. Installing controllable ventilator fans can be used to control the moisture content underfloor. If a user does not have underfloor ventilation or other

environmental control device under floor, showing the conditions underfloor may prompt the user to install such devices. The applicants have also found that merely showing the conditions underfloor and in the roof space is of interest to a user.

Further, if underfloor conditions are presented to a user over time, they may decide to install environmental devices (e.g. ventilators) . Figure 4 is a diagram showing the screens that may be generated via the interface process, data process and display process of the controller 2. Figures 4b and 4c are the same as Figures 3a and 3b, and no further

description of these screens will be given. Figure 4a is the Home Screen already described with reference to Figure 2a. The "arrows" in Figure 4 illustrate operation of the displays to produce the various screens. For example, operation of the settings button 32 on the Home screen 4a results in display of the Settings screen 4i. The various virtual buttons 50 relating to settings of the device, are generated on this screen. From the settings button 50, screens 4e to 4m may be generated: Screen 4e is a System Information screen. This provides details of the controller hardware/software arrangement ;

Screen 4f gives a list of the devices that may be connected to the controller for control and information;

Screen 4g is a Factory Defaults screen, which enables a user to reset, via button 60, to the original factory settings for the control apparatus 1 ;

Screen 4h enables setting of time and date;

Screen 4j enables toggling of the logic operating mode of the ;

Screen 4k allows another way into the logged

environmental data;

Screen 41 enables a user to personalise the settings of the control apparatus 1;

The control apparatus also supports a device

registration process. Screen 4d, enables the user to update a system by adding new devices. Button 61 on screen 4f causes generation of a Device Manager screen 4d. New devices e.g. audio systems etc. are able to be added via this screen. These new devices may be controlled via the control apparatus 1.

Where the device has wireless or other

communications, the identity of the devices to be managed can be obtained and entered, and a wireless scan will then enable a device management process to obtain the devices so that they can be added to the controller 1, for

control .

As discussed above, the control apparatus may

communicate, hardwired or via wireless communications, with other, similar control apparatus, in a Master/Slave relationship. The networked control apparatus can then control associated devices according to instructions from the Master. Addition of new devices, such as audio etc. can be carried out by installing a further control apparatus as a Slave, for example, the further control apparatus being responsible for controlling the audio device (s) .

Referring again to Figure 2, the display process is arranged to generate a representation of the building which is accompanied by recognisable artefacts associated with the building. In Figure 2 (a), for example, a bed 100 is illustrated. Also, the solar panel 17 is quite recognisable as a solar panel. Providing these

recognisable artefacts builds an "emotional" connection between the user and the display. This "homely" type of display is more attractive to the user, and the user finds the interface easier and simpler to use.

As well as a bed and a solar panel, in other

embodiments, other artefacts may be represented, such as other furniture (tables, chairs, etc.), "realistic" representations of vegetation, such as grass 101, and other artefacts.

The representation of the house may also be made more "realistic", by including features such as windows, brickwork, and other features.

Research has been carried out to determine what type of graphics are more "usable" and attractive to users. There is a variation across users. Some users like very simple, schematic interfaces. Others like very

sophisticated, realistic interfaces. There are a majority of users that lay in between these simple and

sophisticated extremes, however. Providing a partly diagrammatic interface such as in this embodiment, with partly realistic artefacts, provides an interface which is attractive to the majority of users. Referring again to Figure 2a, the display process is also arranged to generate recognisable symbols which represent environmental properties. In this example, a "rain drop" symbol 102 is arranged to represent humidity. A "sun" symbol 103 represents solar power being generated by the solar panel 17. These recognisable symbols enable a user to identify the information without requiring separate instruction. Other recognisable symbols may be used to represent other environmental properties.

Figure 7 shows a further display which may be

generated by an embodiment of the invention. Similar reference numerals have been used to designate similar components to those shown in the other drawings. The Figure 7 display demonstrates the realism which can be applied to artifacts within the display, in accordance with this embodiment. Television 200, representation of a lounge 201, a standard light 202, plants 203, a painting 204 and window 205 are all displayed in a realistic fashion. This provides an interface which is attractive to many users.

In the above embodiments, sensors are provided to sense temperature, humidity. Other sensors may be

provided in other embodiments separate to other

environmental conditions such as ground moisture, ground temperature, wind velocity, solar radiation levels, barometric pressure, and other environmental properties. Sensors may also be provided to monitor the presence and amount of substances in the environment, such as CO and NOx pollutants. The existence of these pollutants in a meaningful concentration could give rise to alarms and actions to adjust the environment.

In the above embodiment, the control apparatus 1 is hard-wired and connected to devices to be controlled. The invention is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the control apparatus may include a wireless transmitter and devices may be controlled via wireless.

The data process may also be arranged to log data and transmit it to a remote location. For example, the data may be transmitted to remote locations via the web.

Updates to software may also be transmitted via the web to the controller.

As discussed above, the control apparatus may control other, similar control apparatus in a Master/Slave type relationship .

Figure 5 shows a diagram of a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The control apparatus 100 is shown with cover and display removed. In this embodiment, this is a master control apparatus 100, arranged to communicate with and provide control signals and receive signals from a slave unit 101 (Figure 6) .

The internal components of the master control unit 100 include a micro-controller 102. The micro-controller includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphics processing unit (GPU) . The GPU is arranged to control the display (not shown) . The micro-controller may also include memory.

Flash memory 103 is provided.

Other components include a micro-SD 104; power regulator 105; a communications controller 106; a WiFi circuitry 107; crypto-authentication 108 and sound

circuitry 109.

The slave unit 101 does not include a display. It is arranged for control of an environmental control device in response to control signals from the master unit 100.

Figure 6 shows the slave unit 101 in longitudinal

cross-section, with internal components. It includes sensors 110 for sensing conditions in the particular zone where the slave unit 101 is positioned. It also includes communications circuitry 111, which in this embodiment may communicate in hardwired fashion. WiFi (not shown) may also be included.

A micro-controller 112, including a CPU, is provided. Flash memory 113 is also provided. Power regulation and relays 114 are also provided for providing power

regulation to the device and also regulating power to the environmental control device being controlled.

In the above embodiment, the control apparatus is a dedicated control device. The invention is not limited to this. Generic devices may be programmed as control devices. For example, smart phones or tablet devices or PCs or laptops, etc. may be provided with applications which enable the device to act as a control apparatus. For example, a smartphone "App", together with wireless ability of the smartphone may enable the smartphone to operate as a control apparatus 1 with all the

functionality discussed above.

In the above embodiment, the control apparatus is arranged to generate a display screen representing a domestic dwelling with three zones. The invention is not limited to three zones. Less or more zones may be

provided in the representation of the building. For example, in another embodiment, the Living Space may be divided into a plurality of different rooms, each room represented by a zone. Further, the invention is not limited to providing representation of a domestic dwelling and control of a domestic dwelling. Other buildings may be represented and controlled e.g. factories or office buildings .

As discussed above, in embodiments, software may be used to program a processor (s) to implement embodiments of the invention. Programmable hardware may be used to implement embodiments, such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable gate arrays and the like. Where software is used to program a processor to implement embodiments of the invention, the software may be implemented by any form of software. Computer

processes may be implemented using any software language, routines, sub-routines and/or modules. Computer processes built for performing different tasks may share parts of the software. For example, they may share common

sub-routines or modules. Any software architecture may be used . Where software is used to implement embodiments, the software can be provided on computer readable media, such as disks, or as data signals over networks, such as the Internet, as an "App" to be downloaded, or in any other way .

In embodiments, hardware architecture already

pre-programmed to implement embodiments of the invention may be provided. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the

invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.