System, device and method for conserving energy in controlling network applications
The present invention relates to a control system, in particular a lighting control system, having a control line to control power modes of network components, such as data forwarding components as well as end nodes, e.g. application control components, according to a global application plan. Controlling the power modes may comprise switching off data-ports in the control network. A data-forwarding device having switchable data port can be used to switch off data paths “in efficio” through the control network. Furthermore, a protocol to interrogate the status of a network component as well as to receive a schedule for unattended operation is provided, thereby enabling improved energy usage and enhanced safety.
1. An apparatus for use in an application control network, the apparatus comprising:
a network interface to receive control messages from or send messages to other components within the application control network;
a storage unit for storing a schedule provided by a control message from a control unit via the network interface, wherein the schedule comprises information indicating different power modes of operation for the apparatus for specific time slots of operation; and,
a processing unit for processing the schedule to operate the apparatus in different power modes for a predetermined time in accordance with the schedule;
wherein the apparatus is adapted to power down its network interface which provides a communicative coupling to the control unit in accordance with at least one predetermined time slot in the schedule such that during said at least one predetermined time slot, communication with the application control network is not possible; and wherein the apparatus is adapted to restore power to the network interface during a subsequent predetermined time slot.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is powered via the network interface and comprises an energy storage unit adapted to store an amount of energy sufficient to power up the apparatus after a predetermined time in which the apparatus has been set to a hibernate mode in accordance with the schedule, wherein the apparatus is unable to receive energy via the network interface during the hibernate mode.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a monitoring unit to monitor a status of the energy storage and initiate a recharge if the amount drops below a predetermined value.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to periodically power up after a predetermined time in which the apparatus has been set to a hibernate mode in accordance with the schedule, to request an update of the schedule.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the apparatus is configured to keep the network interface operational if the requested update is not received.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a data-forwarding device for passing messages within the application control network.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the data forwarding device comprises one or more data-ports connectable to different components within the control network and the schedule provided by a control message from the control unit defines separate power modes for the respective data ports.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus comprises clock circuitry to maintain an updated clock and wherein the processing unit for processing the schedule only operates the apparatus in a different power mode after having verified that an internal clock of the apparatus is up to date.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is an application control component.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the application control network is a lighting control network and the apparatus is a lighting control component, in particular an actuator or a sensor.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each of said other components are not comprised in the apparatus.
12. A method for controlling an application device coupled to a data forwarding device within an application control network, wherein the application device is connected to a data port of the data forwarding device and the method comprises:
determining whether the application device coupled to the data-port of the data forwarding device is needed for a predetermined period of time, and determining whether the application device is authorized to be coupled to the data-port of the data forwarding device,
providing by a control unit, a power schedule to the application device for self-sufficient power management during at least one predetermined time slot determined in the power schedule, during which time slot the data forwarding device is adapted to power down its network interface which provides a communicative coupling to the control unit such that communication with the application control network is not possible; and wherein the data forwarding device is adapted to restore power to its network interface during a subsequent predetermined time slot.
13. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing computer instructions stored therein for causing a computer process to perform the steps of the method according to claim 12 .