Building Automation Data Abstraction Layer for Format Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building automation systems face challenges in providing a uniform interface for accessing data from diverse devices and subsystems, as different manufacturers present data in varying formats, requiring specific programming for each type, which is cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A management system with a memory, display, and processing circuit that stores programming instructions and data values for different device formats, maps data to a generic format, and provides uniform access through generic functions, allowing for intuitive monitoring and control without needing specific programming for each device type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data from different manufacturers' devices is accessed using device-specific programming, then each device type can be handled accurately, but the system complexity and programming effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (data abstraction layer) between the control station software and the diverse device data formats. This intermediary translates various manufacturer-specific formats into a uniform internal representation, allowing the software to interact with all devices through a single interface without needing device-specific programming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal data access interface that handles multiple device formats through a single unified mechanism. The control station employs generic functions that can access and interpret data from any device type regardless of manufacturer, eliminating the need for separate programming for each device type while maintaining broad compatibility.
2Measurement precision
If device-specific programming is used for each data format, then data accuracy is maintained, but the ease of operation and implementation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The data abstraction layer serves as an intermediary that preserves data interpretation accuracy while simplifying access. It translates device-specific formats into a standardized internal format that maintains all necessary data precision and meaning, then presents this data through a uniform interface that is easy to access regardless of the original device format.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple programming approaches are used for different devices, then device compatibility is achieved, but the time required for system implementation and operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal data access framework that provides a single programming approach for accessing data from all device types. This unified interface eliminates the need to develop and maintain separate programming for each device, significantly reducing implementation time while maintaining full device compatibility through the underlying format translation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement includes a memory, a display, a user input device, and a processing circuit. The memory stores programming instructions and data values corresponding to a first object data record having a first format and a second object data record having a second format. The first record corresponds to a first BAS device, and the second record corresponds to a second BAS device. The processing circuit receives additional data values from BAS devices and stores the additional data values in the memory. The processing device retrieves a data value corresponding to the first record from the memory. The processing device stores an object type definition having a third format, and maps the data value corresponding to the first record to the third format. The processing circuit provides the requested data based on the mapped data value to a software operation for generating a display.