Dynamic Building Automation Interface via Network Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building automation systems require extensive manual setup and engineering knowledge, making them difficult for users to set up and control without a central control system.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allows users to access a building automation network, identify devices, determine a user interface structure, and control devices through a computing device without a preconfigured central controller, using protocols like BACnet to create a user control interface dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a proprietary building control system is used with centralized control, then system reliability and control capability are improved, but device complexity and setup difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized control system into distributed computing devices, each capable of independently accessing and controlling building automation devices. Instead of requiring a single complex central controller, multiple standalone computing devices can connect to the building automation network and perform discovery, interface generation, and control functions independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device performs self-service by automatically discovering building automation devices on the network, generating appropriate user interfaces based on discovered device capabilities, and enabling control without requiring manual configuration or engineering knowledge. The system serves itself by autonomously establishing control capabilities.
2Manufacturing precision
If extensive manual setup and engineering knowledge are required, then system configuration precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the computing device discovers building automation devices, receives information about their capabilities and states, and uses this feedback to automatically generate appropriate user interfaces and control parameters. This closed-loop approach ensures accurate configuration without manual input.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device acts as an intermediary between the user and the building automation devices. It translates device capabilities into user-friendly interfaces and handles the complexity of protocol communication, shielding the user from technical details while maintaining precise control configuration.
3Extent of automation
If a preconfigured central controller is used, then control capability is improved, but adaptability to different devices and locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device is designed with universal functionality, capable of discovering and controlling various types of building automation devices from different manufacturers through standardized protocols like BACnet. A single computing device can adapt to multiple device types and locations without requiring device-specific configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to the specific building automation devices present on the network. The computing device performs real-time discovery, generates user interfaces tailored to the discovered devices, and adjusts control capabilities based on actual device states and capabilities, rather than relying on static preconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of building automation control from a computing device is provided and includes a computing device: accessing a building automation network through one or more network connections and identifying automated devices attached to that building automation network; determining a user interface structure for the automated devices and a device user interface for each automated device from device names of the automated devices on the building automation network; providing a user interface comprising the user interface structure and the device user interfaces on the computing device; and controlling one or more of the automated devices over one of the one or more network connections using instructions received over the user interface.