Building Automation Control Using ML for Adaptive User Behavior

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building automation systems require significant user effort and time for programming and adjustment, lacking flexibility to adapt to changing user behaviors without manual programming.

Innovation Solution

A building automation system that incorporates a database for storing past data, a communication unit for sensor data, an actuator control unit, and a machine learning model to generate action recommendations and control actuators, reducing the need for manual programming and enhancing flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional building automation systems are used with manual programming and adjustment, then the system can be controlled according to user needs, but the user effort and time required for programming and adjustment is significant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser effort for programming and adjustmentVSAvoidautomatic control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically learns user behaviors and preferences through observation and machine learning algorithms, enabling self-configuration without manual programming. The automation system performs self-adjustment based on learned patterns, eliminating the need for extensive user programming effort while maintaining high automation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-learns and stores user behavior patterns during initial observation periods, preparing action recommendations in advance. This preliminary learning phase enables the system to provide automated control recommendations immediately when needed, reducing both programming effort and response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional building automation systems are used with fixed programming, then the system structure is stable, but the flexibility to adapt to changing user behaviors is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility to adapt to changing user behaviorsVSAvoidsystem configuration stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts its control strategies by continuously learning new user behaviors and updating its knowledge base. The machine learning models are designed to evolve with changing user preferences while maintaining stable core control functions, achieving both adaptability and stability through hierarchical architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback loops where user responses to automated recommendations are continuously monitored and used to refine future recommendations. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to changing behaviors while maintaining stable operational patterns through iterative improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If machine learning models are used to generate action recommendations, then the accuracy and correctness of recommendations is improved, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of action recommendationsVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The machine learning system is divided into multiple specialized models, each handling specific aspects of building control (e.g., temperature control, lighting, shading). This segmentation allows each model to focus on specific prediction tasks, improving accuracy while managing overall system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary layer is introduced between the machine learning models and the building actuators, which translates complex model predictions into actionable control commands. This intermediary simplifies the interface between the complex AI system and the physical building systems, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining high recommendation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4546061A1Building automation system and method for automatically controlling the facility of a building
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4546061A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4546061A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4546061A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a building automation system (10) for automatically controlling the facility of a building. The building automation system (10) comprises a data base (14), for storing past data, comprising event data, sensor data, user context data (30) and actions manually created and/or predefined by the user (34) in relation to this data. Further, a communication unit (22) for getting sensor data of at least one sensor (26a, 26b, 26c) of the building and user context data (30), and an actuator control unit (42) for controlling at least one actuator (46a, 46b, 46c) of the building are provided. The building automation system (10) further comprises a proposal unit (38) for outputting recommended actions to the user (34) and receiving feedback of the user (34) thereto In addition a computer implemented machine learning model (18) and/or process model (50) created via data mining is described, for generating action recommendations for the user (34) and control commands for the actuator control unit (42).