Building Automation System with Direct Device-to-Cloud Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional building automation systems are complex and require manual configuration, leading to extra complexity and reduced interoperability between devices due to different protocols and data formats.
Innovation Solution
A rooftop unit equipped with circuitry that executes control logic, expression-based event processing logic, and a machine learning algorithm, allowing for pattern recognition, fault diagnosis, and predictive maintenance, while also translating data from various formats into a common format for unified operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional building automation systems use multiple different devices, controllers, and protocols to achieve comprehensive building control, then the system can handle diverse building equipment and functions, but the device complexity and installation configuration complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal building automation system where a single device type can perform multiple functions by supporting various communication protocols (BACnet, Modbus, MQTT, OPC UA) and integrating diverse building equipment (HVAC, lighting, security, access control) through a unified platform, eliminating the need for different device types for different functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs homogeneous device architecture across the building automation system, where all building equipment interfaces through standardized protocols and data formats, creating uniform communication patterns that simplify system integration and reduce configuration complexity while maintaining versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional building automation systems manually configure each device and protocol conversion by field technicians, then the system can be customized for specific facilities, but the installation time and configuration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic protocol conversion and device configuration capabilities where the building automation system autonomously detects device types, selects appropriate communication protocols, and configures data exchange parameters without requiring manual intervention from field technicians, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining facility-specific customization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates pre-configured protocol support and device templates that are prepared in advance, allowing the system to quickly adapt to different facility requirements by selecting from pre-established configuration options rather than creating configurations from scratch during installation
3Reliability
If diverse building devices use different protocols and data formats to maintain device-specific functionality, then each device can operate optimally, but interoperability between devices is reduced and integration barriers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protocol conversion layer that acts as an intermediary between devices using different communication protocols, translating data between various protocol formats (BACnet, Modbus, MQTT, OPC UA) and a unified internal data format, thereby maintaining device-specific operation while enabling seamless interoperability across the building automation system
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes providing a plurality of units building equipment operable to directly affect one or more physical conditions of a building, connecting the plurality of units of building equipment to a communication network, and automatically establishing, by the plurality of units of building equipment, communications between the plurality of units of building equipment and an off-premise server via the communication network. Such communications are preferably not routed through any controllers external to the plurality of units of building equipment.