BMS Gateway Data Control for Cloud-Based Remote Equipment Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building management systems (BMS) face challenges in enabling remote control of non-Internet enabled devices and lack efficient data management and control protocols across diverse communication networks.
Innovation Solution
A system architecture that includes a gateway device to bridge building networks with IP-based networks, facilitating remote control and data communication through a cloud-based platform, with automatic equipment discovery and model distribution across multiple communication protocols, and a cloud-based data platform for processing and controlling building data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If building equipment is made non-Internet enabled for security or cost reasons, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but remote monitoring and control capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between non-Internet enabled building equipment and the cloud-based platform. The gateway performs protocol conversion, data formatting, and secure communication, enabling remote monitoring and control without requiring Internet connectivity in the building equipment itself. This resolves the contradiction by providing remote capability through an external mediator rather than embedding complex Internet functionality in the equipment.
2Speed
If data communication rate between gateway and cloud platform is increased, then real-time monitoring and control is improved, but network bandwidth consumption and data transmission costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic data transmission with configurable intervals, where the gateway device transmits building data to the cloud platform at optimized time intervals rather than continuously. This periodic action maintains adequate monitoring capability while significantly reducing network bandwidth consumption and data transmission costs, resolving the contradiction between real-time performance and resource usage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If equipment templates are automatically discovered and distributed across multiple protocols, then system adaptability and ease of integration are improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining equipment templates with standardized data structures, communication protocols, and processing logic before actual equipment integration. These templates are stored in the cloud platform and automatically matched to discovered equipment, eliminating the need for complex real-time protocol conversion and processing. This resolves the contradiction by performing adaptation work in advance rather than during operation.
4Productivity
If data control templates are implemented to manage data rates, then network efficiency and cost are improved, but system complexity and configuration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated data control template configuration, where the gateway device and cloud platform automatically negotiate and configure optimal data transmission rates based on equipment type, data priority, and network conditions. This eliminates manual configuration requirements while maintaining network efficiency, resolving the contradiction between automated optimization and system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A building management system (BMS) includes building equipment operable to affect a physical state or condition of a building coupled to a gateway device configured to communicate building data from the building equipment to a cloud-based platform according to a data control template configured to control a data rate between the gateway device and the cloud-based platform. The cloud-based platform includes a hub to generate a virtual device twin comprising the data control template and configured to receive the building data and represent the gateway device on the cloud-based platform, as well as plurality of cloud applications configured to provide a building data output. The cloud-based platform is configured to communicate the building data output to and receive a command from at least one of a control application, an analytic application, or a monitor application. The gateway device further configured to operate according to the command.