Building Automation Hierarchy for Flexible Field Device Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building automation systems require complex programming changes to adapt to new field devices, necessitating skilled programmers for integration and expansion, especially when the building layout changes.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an engineering tool to adapt control and regulation programs to field device addresses using object-oriented modeling and predefined relations, allowing for indirect access to field devices without modifying the program code, enabling easy integration and replacement of devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If field devices are integrated into building automation systems using traditional programming methods, then the system can operate and control building processes, but the program code becomes complex and requires skilled programmers for any adaptations or expansions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a semantic information unit as an intermediary layer between field devices and control programs. This semantic layer abstracts the direct addressing of field devices, allowing control programs to reference devices through semantic identifiers rather than complex addresses. When field devices need to be added or repositioned, only the semantic information units need updating, not the control program code itself, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and code complexity.
2Reliability
If direct addressing of field devices is used in control programs, then precise control is achieved, but any changes in building layout or additional field devices require program code modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates semantic information units that serve as abstract representations or copies of field devices. These semantic copies contain the addressing information and device characteristics, allowing control programs to work with simplified references rather than direct device addresses. When physical field devices are added, moved, or modified, only their corresponding semantic information units need to be updated, maintaining precise control while enabling easy system expansion without program code changes.
3Manufacturing precision
If control programs are adapted to accommodate new field devices, then the system remains functional and accurate, but skilled programming knowledge is required and engineering time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining semantic information units that encapsulate field device addressing and characteristics before control programs are executed. This preliminary structuring of device information in a standardized semantic format allows control programs to be written once and reused indefinitely. When new field devices are introduced, the semantic information units are prepared in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming program code adaptations and reducing both engineering time and the need for skilled programmers.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves providing a building automation model comprising a parent view node object (20) representing a building automation device, and a child view node object (30) linked to a field device. The child view node object is logically linked to the parent view node object to form a hierarchical structure. An object-name is assigned to the parent view node object representing a name of the automation device. An object-name is assigned to the child view node object comprising the object-name of the parent view node object and a name representing the field device. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a system for representing a hierarchal structure representing one or more building automation devices and one or more field devices; and (2) a computer readable storage medium storing program for representing a hierarchal structure representing one or more building automation devices and one or more field devices.