BMS Interface and Verification for Multi-Protocol Mobile Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building management systems (BMS) require dedicated configuration devices for advanced functions, limiting user accessibility and compatibility with devices from different vendors, and lack performance verification tools for diverse protocols.
Innovation Solution
A BMS network interface device with scan engines and a performance verification tool (PVT) that allows configuration and verification via mobile devices, supporting multiple device types and protocols, and includes tools for tailored views, device checkouts, and air balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated configuration device is used for BMS, then configuration functionality is available, but user accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate due to proprietary and cumbersome interface requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables standard mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops) to perform configuration functions previously exclusive to dedicated proprietary devices. The BMS interface device provides a universal communication bridge that allows multiple device types to access and configure building equipment using familiar interfaces, eliminating the need for specialized configuration hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The BMS interface device acts as an intermediary between standard mobile devices and the BMS network. It translates communication protocols and provides a bridge that enables mobile devices to interact with building equipment without requiring dedicated configuration devices, thus improving accessibility while maintaining configuration capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If interface devices allow viewing basic information, then ease of operation improves, but configuration functionality deteriorates as advanced functions still require dedicated devices
Solution Approach 1:
The interface device enables standard mobile devices to perform both viewing and configuration functions through a unified application. The system provides comprehensive functionality including device discovery, information viewing, configuration, and commissioning tasks using the same mobile device interface, eliminating the functional limitations of previous interface devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If BMS devices from different vendors are supported, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases due to multiple protocols and compatibility requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The BMS interface device serves as a protocol translation intermediary between mobile devices and diverse building equipment from different vendors. It handles multiple communication protocols (BACnet, Modbus, LonWorks, etc.) and translates them into a unified interface, allowing the system to support multi-vendor equipment without increasing the complexity of the user interface or mobile device requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A building management system (BMS) network interface device includes an external communication device configured to provide communication between the BMS network interface and a number of user devices, over a first network. A performance verification tool (PVT) system for one or more BMS devices communicating over one or more networks includes a first application scan engines configured to discover first type devices of the BMS devices and second type devices of the BMS devices. The second application includes a reporting module configured to provide reports presenting analysis. The analysis is based upon data obtained from the BMS devices by the first application.