Automated Asset Tagging for Similar Equipment in BMS and SCADA

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current building management systems (BMS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems face challenges in managing complex environments due to their large size and dynamic changes, requiring labor-intensive manual semantic tagging of assets, which hinders efficient energy management and operational control.

Innovation Solution

A computer tool and method for automated grouping of assets in BMS and SCADA systems using AI algorithms to identify and tag similar equipment based on textual and numerical attributes, simplifying the asset tagging process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual semantic tagging of assets is performed in BMS and SCADA systems, then asset management accuracy is improved, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveasset tagging accuracyVSAvoidtagging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service automated tagging by utilizing existing asset data, relationships, and operational patterns within the BMS/SCADA system to automatically generate and assign semantic tags without requiring manual intervention for each asset

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates copies of tagging patterns from previously tagged assets or template assets and applies them to similar assets through automated matching algorithms, eliminating the need to manually tag each asset individually

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If manual semantic tagging of assets is performed in BMS and SCADA systems, then asset management accuracy is improved, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveasset tagging accuracyVSAvoidimplementation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system leverages existing data infrastructure and relationships within the BMS/SCADA environment to perform tagging automatically, eliminating the need for external consulting services or specialized manual tagging operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The automated tagging system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it tags assets, categorizes them, establishes relationships between assets, and enables various analytical applications, providing high value through a single integrated solution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the BMS and SCADA systems are expanded to manage larger facilities, then system capability is improved, but complexity of asset management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem coverageVSAvoidasset management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically segments assets into meaningful groups and categories based on their functional characteristics, relationships, and operational patterns, transforming the complex inventory into organized, manageable segments that scale with facility size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The automated tagging system acts as an intermediary layer between the raw asset data and the user interface, providing structured organization and semantic meaning that simplifies how users interact with and manage large numbers of assets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic changes are made to the BMS and SCADA systems, then system adaptability is improved, but monitoring and understanding system impact becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidsystem impact visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors asset relationships and tagging structures, providing feedback when changes occur that help users understand the impact of additions, modifications, or removals on the overall asset management framework

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-establishes tagging structures, relationships, and categorization frameworks before changes occur, enabling automatic adaptation and impact assessment when new assets are added or existing assets are modified

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4687051A1Computer system and method for mass tagging of assets in automated and industrial control systems
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA INC
  • EP4687051A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4687051A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4687051A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System and method for grouping like equipment in an AIC system. A textual label of the reference equipment is embedded in a first numeral value and textual attributes associated with each point associated with the reference equipment are embedded in a second numerical value. A textual label of at least one candidate equipment is embedded in a third numerical value and textual attributes associated with each point associated with the at least one candidate equipment are embedded in a fourth numerical value. The first and third numerical values are compared to one another to determine if there is a sufficient level of similarity. Responsive to determining there is a sufficient level of similarity between the first and third numerical values, the second and fourth numerical values are compared to one another to determine if there is a sufficient level of similarity. Group the reference equipment with the at least one candidate equipment, responsive to determining a sufficient level of similarity between the third and fourth numerical values.