Abstract: The present invention relates to a very simple and robust wireless batteryless device (100) for harvesting energy. The actuation upon button pressure/release results in a rotation of a first member (1) around its central axis (11) leading to a move of an element (3), which is loosely fixed at the first member (1) from a pivot point (14), and a rotation around the central axis (11) of the second member (2) to which a generator axis of an energy harvester is coupled, the rotation axis of the generator being coincident with the central axis (11). Upon full pressure/release, the element (3) is forced to rotate around the pivot point (14), allowing a vertically raised pin (22) of the second member (2) to disengage a recessed area (31, 32) at each end of a slot (30) of the element (3) and the second member (2) to rotate to its rest position.

Abstract: The invention describes a network interface unit (10) for a node (D, D 1, D 2, D 3, D a, D b, D c) in a wireless multi-hop network (WN) comprising a plurality of nodes (D, D 1, D 2, D 3, D a, D b, D c) that can be connected by means of network paths between source nodes and destination nodes, which network interface unit (10) comprises a multiple route request assembly module (11) for assembling a multiple route request message (MREQ) such that the multiple route request message (MREQ) of a source node (D) includes a plurality of addresses (41, 43, 45) for specific multiple destination nodes (D 1, D 2, D 3) to which network paths are to be established. The network interface (10) further comprises a transmit unit (12) for transmitting the message (MREQ) to other nodes (D 1, D 2, D 3, D a, D b, D c) in the wireless multi-hop network (WN).

Abstract: Energyharvesting device The present invention relates to a very simple and robust wireless batteryless device (100) for harvesting energy. The actuation upon button pressure/release results in a rotation of a first member (1) around its central axis (11) leading to a move of an element (3), which is loosely fixed at the first member (1) from a pivot point (14), and a rotation around the central axis (11) of the second member (2) to which a generator axis of an energy harvester is coupled, the rotation axis of the generator being coincident with the central axis (11). Upon full pressure/release, the element (3) is forced to rotate around the pivot point (14), allowing a vertically raised pin (22) of the second member (2) to disengage a recessed area (31, 32) at each end of a slot (30) of the element (3) and the second member (2) to rotate to its rest position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a proxy node comprising means for managing a proxy table, a receiver for receiving a message from a first resource restricted device, said message being intended to at least one corresponding destination device, control means for checking whether an entry for the first resource restricted device is included in the set of entries of the proxy table, the set of entries of the proxy table indicating the set of resource-restricted devices the proxy node is in charge of, a transmitter for forwarding the message depending on the result of the proxy table checking, the means for managing the proxy table being arranged for cleaning the proxy table of the entry relative to the resource-restricted device by monitoring the relative usage of the proxy node for forwarding messages for the resource restricted device with the usage of competitor proxy nodes for forwarding messages for the resource restricted device.

Abstract: Methods are provided for transmitting and receiving a message to or form a wireless limited node (10) in a wireless network (100) wherein the wireless limited node (10) is related to a coupled device (30) in the wireless network (100) and is able to receive data only within limited reception opportunities following transmission by the wireless limited node (10). The method of transmitting comprises noticing a need for transmitting the message to the wireless limited node (10), preparing the message to be transmitted, the coupled device (30) changing a physical parameter for triggering external activation of the wireless limited node (10), and after receiving a signal transmitted by the wireless limited node (10) upon said external activation, sending the message to be transmitted to the wireless limited node (10) within the limited reception opportunities. The method of receiving does not comprise the steps of preparing the message and transmitting it to the wireless limited node (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for wireless communication in a network comprising a resource-restricted end device (ZBLD), and at least one router device (R5), wherein the method comprises the following steps: the end device (ZBLD) transmitting a data frame to be forwarded to a destination device in the network,—the router device (R5) receiving the data frame, the router device associating a delay to the data frame and scheduling transmission of the frame after this delay, in case the router device listening that the data frame has been forwarded by another router device, cancelling the scheduled transmission of the data frame. The invention also relates to a router device and a network therefor.

Abstract: A switch device (10) and method for generation of energy for operating the switch device (10), wherein the switch device (10) is provided with a drive unit (120) interacting with an actuation device operable by a user, and with a moving device (130) configured to be set in motion by the drive unit (120), and with an energy harvester (132, 140, 140a) for providing energy to the switch device (10) in dependence on a motion of the moving device (130), such that energy for commands or other operations is provided to the switch device (10). The moving device (130) is configured to be repeatedly repositioned in relation to a defined zero position, as long as it has kinetic energy, in order to provide kinetic energy which can be converted in electric energy by the energy harvester (132, 140, 140a). Such an electromechanical device for generating energy can ensure wireless operation of the switch device (10) without the need of batteries or any other kind of power supply.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical energy harvesting switch configured to provide at least two different control signals comprises: a generator activating member (9) configured to move between a rest position and a maximum loaded position; at least one spring (11, 13) configured to force the generator activating member towards the rest position; and a unidirectionally rotating protrusion member (17) comprising at least one protrusion (21) configured to move through a protrusion's path during rotation of the protrusion member (17), through a first position of the protrusion (21), in which first position the protrusion (21) is engaged with the generator activating member (9) in the rest position, and through a second position, the protrusion (21) thereby carrying the generator activating member (9) from the rest position to the maximum loaded position against the force of the at least one spring (11, 13).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for disaggregation of energy consumption in a power distribution system. The basic idea is to look at the overall energy consumption and recognize the contributions of each single electrical device (120), e.g. for the purposes of providing a breakdown of energy consumption to users. Disaggregation is assisted by usage of multi-modal system data coming from various external data sources (106-1 to 106-n), such as building management systems and/or IT infrastructure, to relate activities of people or devices to changes in power consumption.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for configuring a limited node in a network, said limited node being able to receive data only within limited reception opportunities, the method comprising at a first node: (a) detecting that an update of a network configuration parameter value for the limited node is required; (b) deciding on whether to change a limited node behaviour from a first behaviour based at least partly on communication characteristics of the limited node, said change of behaviour including increasing reception opportunity at the limited node; (c) depending on decision at step (b), triggering delivery of a request of behaviour change to the limited node during a first reception opportunity; (d) triggering delivery of the updated network configuration parameter value to the limited node during a second reception opportunity of the limited node.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for configuring a network comprising a maintenance entity and a plurality of nodes, the method comprising at the maintenance entity, the steps of: (a) detecting a potential presence in the network of at least one limited node, said limited node being able to receive data only within time periods; (b) determining that an updated network configuration parameter value is required, said network configuration parameter being common to the at least one limited node and to the plurality nodes of the network; (c) postponing a transmission of a signal for updating the network configuration parameter value at the plurality of nodes, based on the detection of the potential presence of the at least one limited node in the network; (d) transmitting a triggering signal for triggering delivery of the updated network configuration parameter value to the limited device; (e) transmitting the signal for updating the updated network configuration parameter value at the plurality of nodes

Abstract: The invention relates to automatically commissioning of devices of a networked control system, particularly to automatically commissioning of wireless switches in lighting control systems. A basic idea of the invention is to derive from an installation constraints with regard to a networked control system and to consider these constraints during an automatic commissioning process based on signal strength processing. This may help to improve the reliability of commissioning based on signal strengths.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical energy distribution apparatus (1) for distributing electrical energy within an arrangement of electrical devices (3 to 7, 11). Assignments between priority classes and at least some of the electrical devices (3 to 7) are provided and distribution control information for controlling the distribution of electrical energy within the arrangement of the electrical devices (3 to 7, 11) is received. A distribution rules determination unit (9) determines distribution rules depending on the received distribution control information and the provided assignments, and an electrical energy distributor (10) distributes the electrical energy within the arrangement of electrical devices (3 to 7, 11) depending on the determined distribution rules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disaggregation apparatus (1) for identifying an electrical consumer in an electrical network (2). An electrical signature providing unit (7) provides electrical signatures of the electrical consumers (4, 5, 6), and an electrical parameter determining unit (8) determines an overall electrical parameter of the electrical network (2). An identification unit (9) identifies an electrical consumer depending on the determined overall electrical parameter and a correlation of the electrical signatures. Since the identification unit identifies an electrical consumer depending on the determined overall electrical parameter and a correlation of the electrical signatures, the identification of an electrical consumer does not depend on the detection of an event only. This makes the identification more robust, especially less prone to errors caused by missed events, thereby improving the reliability of identifying an electrical consumer in the electrical network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining an operational channel c_op of a communication network comprising at least two potential proxies for an energy-restricted device to join the network, and a set C of radio channels, wherein an energy-restricted device is to join the network, the method comprising the following steps: —the energy-restricted device transmitting a first beacon message on a first channel succ(m?1)(c)in MAC broadcast, wherein c belongs to the set C, and switching to receiving mode on channel listen(c), wherein succ and listen is an arithmetical function, from C to C, and m is a positive integer, —the proxies receiving the beacon message sent on channel succ(m?1)(c), —the temporary master device switching its radio receiver to channel succm(c), —the energy-restricted device transmitting a second beacon message on a second channel succ(c) and switching to receiving mode on channel listen (succm(c)), —upon receipt of the second beacon, the temporary master device transmitting a

Abstract: The invention describes a method of performing automatic commissioning of a network (N) comprising a plurality of network devices (10, 11, 12, 13), wherein each device (10, 11, 12, 13) is characterised by a device identifier (14) and wherein the devices (10, 11, 12, 13) are realised to exchange data packets (2), which method comprises the steps of obtaining a computer-readable installation plan (3) for the network (N), which installation plan (3) comprises a physical location descriptor (31) for devices (10, 11, 12, 13) of the network (N); deducing the network topology (T) of the network (N) from network descriptive information (40, 41, 42, 43) provided by the devices (10, 11, 12, 13) on the basis of data packets (2) exchanged between the devices (10, 11, 12, 13); and comparing the deduced network topology (T) to the installation plan (3) to allocate a physical location descriptor (31) to a device identifier (11).

Abstract: A method of establishing a wireless multi-hop network where devices establish a physical wireless connection to at least another device of the network in a self-organizing process. In the self-organizing process, a seeking device intending to join the network listens for beacon signals, emitted by candidate parent devices already in the network, that include a network identifier and a device identifier of the emitting devices. Then, in a parent selection process, the seeking device selects a parent device from among the candidate parent devices, according to given selection rules, based on the network identifiers, acceptance capabilities of the candidate parent devices, and link quality parameter values relating the device and the candidate parent devices. In this parent selection process, application-level connection data of the seeking device and/or the candidate parent devices are applied. The seeking device connects physically, and preferably also logically, via the selected parent device to the network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for relocating address space in a peer-to-peer network with hierarchical addressing is performed in a network (1) that has a tree structure with routers (3) at different network depths (D). Each router (3) has an assigned address space (10), including an identifying address (11) for the router (3), one or more address blocks (12) for providing further routers (3) with assigned address space (10) and a further address block (13) for providing end devices with identifying addresses. The size of the address space (10) assigned to a router (3) without relocation depends on the network depth (D) of the router (3) in a predetermined way, leading to specific sizes of the address space (10) assigned to routers (3). The method comprises the following steps: An association request is received from a joining router or a joining end device by a first router (3) of the network (1), wherein the address space (10) of the first router (3) is exhausted.

Abstract: The invention relates to composing a lighting atmosphere from an abstract description for example a lighting atmosphere specified in XML, wherein the lighting atmosphere is generated by several lighting devices, by automatically rendering the desired lighting atmosphere from the abstract description. The abstract description describes the type of light with certain lighting parameters desired at certain semantic locations at certain semantic times. This abstract atmosphere description is automatically transferred to a specific instance of a lighting system (14, 16, 18). The invention has the main advantage that it allows to create light scenes and lighting atmospheres at a high level of abstraction without requiring the definition of a lighting atmosphere or scene by setting the intensity, color, etc. for single lighting units or devices which can be very time consuming and cumbersome, particularly with large and complex lighting systems comprising many lighting devices.

Abstract: Networked control systems and methods include a plurality of devices connected to a network. At least one device has a logical address that includes a device type and a device location in an environment of the device in a user readable and understandable format, such as English or other languages. The system further includes a processor connectable to the network and configured to execute control logic using the logical addresses. A memory is provided for storing a mapping from the logical address to a physical network address of the device.