Building Automation Rule Tool for Non-Programmer System Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Building automation systems often consist of disparate sub-systems like HVAC, security, and lighting that are not integrated cohesively, leading to inefficient management and high costs for facility managers, and lack user-friendly tools for non-programmers to add intelligence.

Innovation Solution

A system that auto-discovers and categorizes building control components from various sub-systems using different protocols, allowing users to define customized rules and actions across multiple sub-systems through a user-friendly interface, enabling integration and intelligence addition without programming expertise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If building automation systems use multiple disparate sub-systems from different vendors, then system functionality and coverage are improved, but system integration complexity and management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal controller that can communicate with multiple different building automation sub-systems (HVAC, lighting, security, access control) through support for multiple communication protocols. This single controller performs the function of integrating disparate vendor systems, eliminating the need for separate integration layers while maintaining compatibility across different system types and vendors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller serves as an intermediary device between various building automation sub-systems and the user interface. It translates between different communication protocols and provides a unified interface for managing diverse systems, thereby reducing integration complexity while preserving the ability to connect multiple vendor systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If building automation systems are managed by multiple different vendors, then system coverage and capabilities are improved, but management efficiency and operational costs worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem coverageVSAvoidmanagement efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple building automation sub-systems under a single controller that manages HVAC, lighting, security, and access control functions. This consolidation allows facility managers to operate all systems through one interface rather than coordinating multiple vendors, directly improving management efficiency while maintaining comprehensive system coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Extent of automation

If building automation systems require programming expertise for configuration and rule creation, then system intelligence and automation capability are improved, but ease of operation and user accessibility worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem intelligenceVSAvoiduser accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides self-service capabilities through auto-discovery functionality that automatically detects and configures building automation components without requiring user programming. The controller autonomously identifies devices, establishes communication parameters, and organizes system architecture, enabling non-technical users to deploy and manage intelligent automation while the system handles the complex configuration tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller performs preliminary configuration actions by automatically discovering building automation components and pre-configuring communication protocols before user interaction. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for users to perform complex programming tasks, making the system accessible to non-technical users while maintaining high automation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If building automation systems use auto-discovery procedures for multiple protocols, then ease of installation and configuration are improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidcontroller complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller incorporates multiple protocol support and auto-discovery capabilities as integrated functions, allowing it to handle various communication standards (BACnet, Modbus, LonWorks, etc.) through a single unified architecture. This multi-functionality enables the controller to perform complex protocol translation and device discovery without requiring multiple separate devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while improving ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11473803B2Inbuilt programming tool for use by non-programmers to add intelligence to a building automation system

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A plurality of triggers may be presented and a selection of a predefined trigger may be accepted. Corresponding actions for the selected trigger may then be presented and an assignment of building control components may be accepted for the corresponding actions. During subsequent operation of a building automation system, the selected trigger may be detected and the corresponding actions may then be performed on the assigned building control components.