BMS Performance Assessment Device Using Automated Network Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Building management systems (BMS) face challenges in efficiently monitoring and optimizing performance due to complexity, difficulty in tracking changes, and underutilization of features, leading to labor-intensive management and suboptimal energy and cost savings.

Innovation Solution

A performance assessment device and method that includes a communication interface to scan BMS networks, retrieve attributes, and access a knowledgebase to generate performance metrics and feature utilization assessments, providing a tool for users to evaluate and optimize BMS performance and feature utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If BMS systems are made more complex to provide comprehensive control and monitoring capabilities, then system functionality and coverage are improved, but ease of operation and management become worse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-assessment and self-diagnosis by automatically collecting performance data, evaluating system status, and generating optimization recommendations without requiring manual intervention from operators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors BMS performance metrics and provides feedback through automated reports and recommendations, enabling operators to make informed decisions without manually analyzing complex system data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If manual monitoring and assessment of BMS performance is performed, then performance evaluation can be conducted, but labor intensity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance evaluationVSAvoidlabor efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically collects performance data from BMS devices, evaluates system status, and generates assessment reports without requiring manual data collection or analysis by operators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical processes of data collection and analysis with automated electronic systems that continuously monitor and evaluate BMS performance through digital data processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive performance data is collected from BMS systems, then accurate performance assessment is achieved, but data processing complexity and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance assessment accuracyVSAvoiddata processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the most relevant performance metrics and key performance indicators from the comprehensive BMS data, focusing analysis on critical parameters that most impact system performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate processing layer that standardizes and structures raw BMS data before analysis, using predefined performance models and evaluation criteria to simplify complex data processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If BMS systems are modified with new features and devices over time, then system capabilities are enhanced, but tracking changes and monitoring performance impact become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem capabilitiesVSAvoidchange tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes a baseline performance profile before modifications are made, enabling comparison and tracking of changes by having reference data available in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors performance metrics and provides feedback on changes detected in the BMS configuration, alerting operators to modifications and their impact on system performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10341132B2Performance assessment device for evaluating a performance of a building management system

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY CO

AI summary

A performance assessment device for evaluating a building management system (BMS). The device includes a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to communicate with a BMS network, the BMS network in communication with the BMS. The device further includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive data related to the BMS via the communication interface. The processing circuit is further configured to evaluate the received BMS data to generate a current status of the BMS inventory, and to further generate an assessment of the BMS performance. The assessment of the BMS performance includes one or more performance metrics associated with the performance of the BMS.