Building Automation Beacon Localization for Faster Servicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In modern building automation systems, particularly in lighting and HVAC, the increasing complexity and reorganization of spaces make it difficult to locate and service individual devices, as traditional methods like network routing do not accurately indicate the physical location of faulty components, leading to inefficient maintenance processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of beacon technology, where building automation devices and mobile servicing devices use localizing beacon signals to determine the proximity of servicing devices, allowing for efficient location and notification of devices in need of maintenance, using a processor circuit to monitor and determine the need for servicing and transmit/receive beacon signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional network routing methods are used to locate building automation devices, then the system can be managed through digital networks, but the physical location of faulty components cannot be accurately determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces beacon devices as intermediary elements that transmit localization signals. These beacons act as mediators between the building automation devices and the servicing device, providing accurate physical location information through wireless signals that complement the digital network routing information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on mechanical/network routing infrastructure for location determination with electromagnetic beacon signals. Instead of using the physical network cable routing to infer device location, the system uses wireless beacon transmissions that directly indicate physical proximity.
2Reliability
If manual verification of numerous lamps is performed to find failures, then thorough checking can be conducted, but the time and effort required for servicing increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The building automation devices autonomously monitor their own operational status and automatically transmit service requests when failures are detected. This self-diagnosis capability eliminates the need for manual verification by service personnel, allowing devices to identify and report their own failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where building automation devices monitor their operational parameters, compare them against thresholds, and automatically generate service requests when anomalies are detected. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures reliable failure detection while minimizing servicing time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If building spaces are reorganized frequently to optimize layout, then adaptability is improved, but the accuracy of device location information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon localization system provides dynamic location information that automatically updates as devices are moved or reorganized. Unlike static network routing maps that become outdated, the beacon system continuously transmits location data, ensuring that the servicing device always receives accurate real-time position information regardless of space reorganizations.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic building automation system, comprising:(I) one or more electronic building automation devices, comprisinga processor circuit configured tomonitor the building automation device,determine a need for servicing of the building automation device, and(II) a servicing device for locating a building automation device in need of servicing,wherein one of a building automation device and the servicing device comprises:a servicing beacon, the servicing beacon is arranged to transmit a localizing beacon signal,and wherein the other of the building automation device and the servicing device comprises:a beacon receiver arranged to receive a localizing beacon signal transmitted from a servicing beacon, the building automation device and servicing device being arranged for the building automation device to be locatable when in need of servicing.