Graphical BMS Scheduling Interface for Coordinated Device Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building management systems (BMS) lack an efficient user interface for scheduling and managing operations across various building devices, leading to difficulties in coordinating and executing schedules effectively.
Innovation Solution
A BMS interface system with a graphical user interface and a processor that allows users to input scheduling requests, converts these inputs into BMS data objects, and executes instructions for associated devices, enabling seamless scheduling and operation of BMS devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional BMS interface is used, then device control capability is maintained, but user interface efficiency and scheduling coordination are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The scheduling interface is segmented into distinct functional modules: space selection module, device selection module, schedule creation module, and confirmation module. Each module handles a specific aspect of the scheduling process, allowing users to interact with the system in a structured, step-by-step manner that improves both efficiency and ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical user interface acts as an intermediary layer between the user and the BMS controller. It translates user-friendly scheduling requests into standardized BMS data objects and instructions, enabling efficient device control without requiring users to understand complex BMS protocols or data structures.
2Loss of time
If manual scheduling input is required, then scheduling precision is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically associating BMS devices with spaces and pre-configuring available devices for selection. When a user creates a schedule, the system has already prepared the device list and space associations, eliminating the need for manual device discovery or configuration during the scheduling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback through schedule confirmation requests that display the extracted scheduling elements and proposed schedule to the user before execution. This allows users to verify scheduling accuracy and make corrections if needed, ensuring precision while minimizing time loss through a single confirmation step.
3Extent of automation
If scheduling elements are extracted and converted to BMS data objects, then system automation is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary scheduling elements (space, device, time, operational parameters) from user input and separates them from the rest of the interface logic. This extraction is performed through dedicated parsing functions that convert user-friendly input into standardized BMS data objects, automating the translation process while keeping the interface itself simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by transforming scheduling elements from user-input format into BMS-specific data object formats. This parameter transformation is handled automatically through conversion routines that map generic scheduling concepts to specific BMS device commands, enabling automation without exposing the complexity of data format conversions to the user.
Data Source
AI summary
A building management system (BMS) interface system. The BMS interface system includes a user interface and a BMS controller in communication with the user interface. The BMS controller includes a processor. The processor is configured to display a graphical scheduling interface on the user interface and receive a scheduling input from the user interface. The processor is further configured to extract one or more scheduling elements from the received scheduling input and convert the scheduling elements into one or more BMS data objects. The processor is further configured to update the graphical scheduling interface displayed on the user interface. The processor is also configured to execute one or more scheduling instructions based on the received scheduling input, wherein the scheduling instructions are associated with the operation of one or more BMS devices.