BLE Auto-Configuration for Building Security Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security systems are difficult to set up and configure, especially when large numbers of sensors are involved, as they often require manual association of devices with building information models (BIMs), leading to inefficiencies and errors.
Innovation Solution
The use of short-range wireless transceivers, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices or iBeacons, attached to security devices allows a portable user device with GPS to detect and correlate device locations and functional information, automatically integrating them into a BIM, facilitating quicker and more intuitive configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual association of security devices with BIM is used, then configuration accuracy can be maintained, but configuration time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of associating security devices with BIM locations with an automated electronic system. BLE transceivers automatically transmit device identifiers and locations, which are then matched with BIM data through electronic processing, eliminating manual dragging and dropping while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service configuration where the security devices themselves provide their location information through BLE transceivers. The portable device automatically detects these transceivers and retrieves location data without requiring user intervention, making the configuration process autonomous and efficient.
2Reliability
If manual configuration processes are used, then system reliability can be maintained through careful setup, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable device as an intermediary that mediates between security devices and the BIM system. This intermediary automatically performs detection, data retrieval, and association tasks, simplifying the user interface while ensuring reliable configuration through systematic processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having BLE transceivers pre-configured on security devices and BIM data prepared in advance. When configuration is needed, the portable device simply needs to detect and match, as the foundational data structures are already in place, reducing operational complexity.
3Productivity
If automated BLE-based configuration is used, then configuration speed and ease of use improve, but device complexity increases due to additional transceivers
Solution Approach 1:
The BLE transceivers serve multiple functions: they provide location information, transmit device identifiers, enable automatic detection by portable devices, and facilitate integration with BIM systems. This multi-functionality justifies the added component while delivering significant productivity benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive BLE transceivers that can be easily attached to security devices. These low-cost components enable automated configuration without significantly increasing system cost, making the complexity worthwhile for the productivity gains achieved.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system that includes a building information model (BIM) defined by a set of geographic coordinates of a secured area embodied in a memory, a plurality of security devices located within the secured area where each of the plurality of security devices has a short range wireless transceiver and a portable user device having a wireless transceiver, a global positioning system (GPS) and a programmed processor that interrogates the short range wireless transceiver of each of the plurality of security devices for identification and functional information of the security device as a user of the portable user device traverses the secured area and saves the identification and functional information along with geographic coordinates of each of the plurality of security devices under the BIM into a memory.