Blockchain Verification for Building Automation Installations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Crowdsourcing installers for building automation device installations can lead to inconsistent and inadequate connectivity, operational errors, and difficulty in verifying proper installation, resulting in resource-intensive repairs and dissatisfied customers.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a blockchain distributed ledger system to verify the proper installation of IP connectable building automation devices by tracking installation parameters and ensuring compliance with predefined verification criteria, thereby facilitating secure and transparent payment or penalty processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If crowdsourced installers are used for building automation device installations, then installer availability and installation speed are improved, but installation quality and connectivity reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidconnectivity reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automated feedback loops where installation data is continuously collected from building automation devices, analyzed against verification criteria, and used to trigger alerts or penalties. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that installation quality is monitored and enforced in real-time, maintaining reliability despite using crowdsourced installers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A blockchain-based verification system acts as an intermediary between crowdsourced installers and service providers. This intermediary automatically verifies installation quality through distributed ledger technology, eliminating the need for manual quality control while ensuring consistent standards are met across all installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If crowdsourced installers are used for building automation device installations, then service coverage and installer availability are improved, but installation verification difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice coverageVSAvoidinstallation verification difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The building automation devices automatically generate and transmit installation verification data to the blockchain ledger without requiring manual inspection. The devices self-report their operational parameters and connectivity status, enabling automated verification that scales with service coverage while reducing verification complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual verification processes are replaced with automated digital verification systems. The blockchain-based system uses cryptographic verification and smart contracts to automatically assess installation quality, replacing physical inspection mechanisms with digital validation that is faster and more scalable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If manual verification methods are used for installation quality assessment, then verification process simplicity is maintained, but resource consumption for repairs increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification process simplicityVSAvoidrepair resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of installation quality before deployment using blockchain validation and smart contracts. By checking installation parameters and connectivity in advance, the system prevents defective installations from entering service, thereby reducing the need for costly post-installation repairs while maintaining verification simplicity through automated checks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11669835B2Systems and methods of verifying installation of building automation devices

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Methods and systems may be configured to verify proper installation of Internet Protocol (IP) connectable building automation devices by installers at remote sites. The installers may be a crowdsourced installers. A service provider may engage an installer to install one or more IP connectable building automation devices. To ensure verification that the one or more IP connectable building automation devices are installed properly, parameters or values based on data from installed IP connectable building automation devices may be provided to or determined by a blockchain network. The blockchain network may compare the parameters or values to thresholds and automatically provide an indication as to whether the parameters or values meet or exceed the thresholds (e.g., verification criteria).