Building Management Interface for Readable Control Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building Management Systems (BMS) are complex and require significant time and effort to configure, and users often struggle to understand the automation and control logic, leading to inefficiencies and repetitive data entry.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that presents building automation and control logic as human-readable text with interactive elements, allowing users to modify logic and control building equipment through a user-friendly interface, and automatically reads metadata from new controllers to reduce redundant data entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional BMS configuration methods are used, then the system can control building equipment, but the configuration requires significant time and effort and is complex to set up
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-configuration by automatically reading metadata from new controllers and generating equipment graphics without requiring manual data entry. When a new controller is connected, the BMS automatically discovers it, reads its metadata, and configures the appropriate display graphics, eliminating the need for operators to manually configure each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller pre-loads metadata about building equipment and sensor information before the BMS needs to display it. This preliminary preparation of data allows the system to automatically generate appropriate graphics and configurations when equipment is added, rather than requiring configuration at the moment of installation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If detailed control logic is implemented, then the system can perform complex building automation functions, but users struggle to understand the automation and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary layer that translates complex control logic into natural language narratives. The control logic remains functionally complex to handle various building automation scenarios, but the intermediary translation layer presents simplified, human-readable descriptions to users, making the system both versatile and understandable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of information presentation from technical control logic format to natural language narrative format. This transformation maintains the full functionality of the control logic while changing how it is perceived and understood by users, effectively bridging the gap between complex functionality and user comprehension.
3Reliability
If manual data entry is required for new controllers, then the system can capture equipment information, but repetitive data entry increases errors and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-configuration by automatically reading metadata from new controllers and generating equipment graphics without requiring manual data entry. When a new controller is connected, the BMS automatically discovers it, reads its metadata, and configures the appropriate display graphics, eliminating the need for operators to manually configure each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the controller's metadata and uses it to automatically generate the equipment graphic and configuration data. Instead of requiring operators to re-enter information, the system copies the necessary data from the controller's metadata and uses it to populate the BMS configuration, reducing both errors and manual effort.
Data Source
AI summary
A Building Management System (BMS) generates and presents a user interface to a user. The user interface displays building automation and control logic as human-readable text including interactive text modifiable by the user. The user interface allows the user to more easily understand complex control logic and make modifications to the control logic. The BMS is also presents equipment graphics on the user interface based on metadata read from controllers. The controller metadata includes information about building equipment operated by the controller and one or more sensors associated with the building equipment.