Siemens Schweiz Ag

Kai Rohrbacher

Oliver Zechlin

Bernhard Isler

Various teachings include methods and/or BACnet network systems to extend BACnet network systems for building automation systems to scale up to large topologies. The BACnet network system comprises a network of BACnet devices organized as a virtual hub-and-spoke network. One of the BACnet devices is implemented as a directed hub-device to which all other BACnet devices are connected as node-devices by using WebSocket connections. The directed hub-device is configured to limit the broadcast distribution of broadcast messages from a downlink-connection to each uplink-connection, and not to any other downlink-connection. The directed hub-device is configured to block or forward unicast messages from one downlink-connection to another downlink-connection.

Extending BACnet systems to scale up to large topologies

Various embodiments of the teachings herein include methods and systems for providing a speech-based service for the control of room control elements in buildings. Speech instructions are received by means of an audio device. The audio device is configured to analyze the received speech instructions, to convert them into corresponding operating commands for room control elements for the control of, in particular, HVAC devices (e.g. field devices) in a building and to pass them on to the corresponding room control elements. Before the receipt of the speech instructions by the audio device, the identity of the sender (user) of the speech instructions is anonymized by means of an anonymization service.

Method and system for providing a speech-based service, in particular for the control of room control elements in buildings

A network switch with: Power-over-Ethernet ports to connect to twisted-pair wires and transmit signals with a data packet comprising a target address and direct-current electric power via the twisted-pair wires; a first Powerline Communication port to connect to a pair of line wires supplying alternating-current electric power and to transmit signals with a data packet via the pair of line wires; a controller; and a memory storing target addresses by data packet. The controller may: receive a signal from one of the Power-over-Ethernet ports or the Powerline Communication port; demodulate the inbound signal; produce a data packet from the demodulated inbound signal; determine the target address of the data packet; look up the determined target address; produce an outbound signal modulated for the target port; and send the modulated outbound signal to the target port.

Growing community of inventors

Hünenberg, Switzerland

Kai Rohrbacher