Building Automation Configuration from BIM Geometry Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building automation systems lack efficient methods for digital and virtual control setup and programming, particularly in the context of building information modeling (BIM), where only partial automation systems can be depicted in the IFC data model, leading to incomplete planning and increased errors.

Innovation Solution

A software-based method that analyzes existing building information models for geometric features, generalizes these features, and compares them to planned models to automatically generate a basic plan for automation systems, using neural networks and cognitive machines to recognize regularities and assign corresponding automation features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If comprehensive setup and programming of automation system components is performed manually after hardware installation, then control functionality is achieved, but planning time and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedigital and virtual controlVSAvoidsetup and programming complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing the setup and programming of automation system components during the planning phase, before hardware installation. The software automatically generates configuration data and control logic based on the building information model, so that when hardware is installed, the programming is already prepared and can be directly transferred, eliminating the need for manual setup after installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating virtual representations of automation system components in the building information model. These virtual models contain all necessary configuration data and control logic that can be copied and transferred to the actual hardware components, avoiding manual reconfiguration and reducing setup complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of manufacture

If only portions of automation systems are depicted in IFC data model, then hardware installation is simplified, but planning completeness and accuracy decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware installationVSAvoidplanning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by extending the IFC data model to include comprehensive automation system information beyond just hardware installation data. The software enables the IFC model to serve multiple functions: it contains geometric data for hardware placement, control logic for automation systems, and configuration data for programming, thereby maintaining planning accuracy while preserving installation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If manual planning methods using paper plans and lists are used, then implementation is straightforward, but time consumption and error rates increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplanning efficiencyVSAvoiderror reduction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical planning methods (paper plans and lists) with an automated software system that processes building information models. The software automatically extracts relevant data, generates configuration parameters, and creates control logic, thereby eliminating manual transcription errors and significantly improving both planning efficiency and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20260010134A1Method for the efficient configuration of control devices

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 WAGO VERW GMBH

AI summary

A method for planning and setting up room and building automation approaches. The following steps are carried out by software: analyzing existing building information models for geometric features and associated features of automation approaches; generalizing the geometric features and the associated features of automation approaches in order to determine generalized geometric features and associated generalized features of automation approaches; analyzing a building information model, to be planned, for geometric features; comparing the analyzed geometric features of the building information model to be planned to the generalized geometric features; determining a comparison result; and for a positive comparison result, including associated generalized features of automation approaches for the building information model to be planned, corresponding to the identified geometric features. Software for carrying out the method is also provided.